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Genetics Key Terms
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Heredity | Heredity is the passing down of characteristics or traits from parents to their offspring. |
| Dominant | A dominant trait is a genetic feature that is always expressed when present, even if only one copy is inherited. |
| Recessive | A recessive trait is a genetic feature that is only expressed when an individual inherits two copies of the gene for that trait. |
| Gene | Genes are instructions inside our cells that determine our traits and characteristics, like eye color or height. |
| Allele | An allele is a different form or version of a gene that controls a specific trait, like blue or brown eye color. |
| Phenotype | A phenotype is the physical appearance or observable traits of an organism, such as hair color or flower shape. |
| Genotype | The genotype is the genetic makeup or combination of alleles an organism has for a specific trait. |
| Probability | Probability is the likelihood or chance of something happening, like inheriting a certain trait from parents. |
| Ratio | A ratio is a way to compare quantities or sizes, often expressed as a relationship between two numbers. |
| Homozygous | Homozygous means having two identical alleles for a particular gene, either both dominant or both recessive. |
| Heterozygous | Heterozygous means having two different alleles for a particular gene, one dominant and one recessive. |
| Complete Dominance | Complete dominance occurs when the dominant allele completely masks the presence of the recessive allele in the phenotype. |
| Homologous Chromosomes | Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry similar genetic information. |
| Meiosis | Meiosis is the process of cell division that creates gametes (sex cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. |
| Chromosomes | Chromosomes are thread-like structures inside cells that carry genes and genetic information. |
| DNA | DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the molecule that contains genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms. |
| Haploid | Haploid refers to cells that have only one set of chromosomes, found in gametes. |
| Diploid | Diploid refers to cells that have two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, found in most body cells. |
| Fertilization | Fertilization is the process where male and female gametes combine to create a new organism (zygote). |
| Zygote | A zygote is a cell formed by the fusion of male and female gametes during fertilization, the first stage of a new organism's development. |
| Gamete | Gametes are sex cells (sperm and egg) that carry half the number of chromosomes as body cells. They are also known as germ cells. |
| Inheritance | Inheritance is the process of passing traits or characteristics from parents to offspring. |
| Punnett Square | A Punnett square is a tool used to predict the possible outcomes of a genetic cross between two organisms. |
| Offspring | Offspring are the children or young organisms produced by parents. |
| Parent | A parent is an organism that produces offspring. |
| Sister Chromatids | Sister chromatids are two identical copies of a chromosome that are joined together before cell division. |
| Genetics | Genetics is the scientific study of heredity and the variation of inherited traits. |
| Somatic (body) Cells | All cells in a multicellular organism EXCEPT for gametes (sperm and egg cells) |
| RNA | RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a molecule that helps in making proteins and carries instructions from DNA to the cell. |
| Mutation | A mutation is a change in the genetic material (like DNA) that can lead to differences in traits. |
| DNA Replication | DNA replication is the process where DNA makes a copy of itself, ensuring that each new cell gets the same genetic information. |
| Chargaff’s Rule | Chargaff's Rule states that in DNA, the amount of adenine is equal to the amount of thymine, and the amount of cytosine is equal to the amount of guanine. |
| Nucleotide Base | A nucleotide base is a part of DNA or RNA that helps form the genetic code. The bases are adenine, thymine (in DNA), cytosine, guanine, and uracil (in RNA). |
| Polygenic Inheritance | Polygenic inheritance happens when a trait is controlled by multiple genes, not just one pair. |
| Multiple Alleles | Multiple alleles refer to the existence of more than two different versions of a gene controlling a particular trait. |
| DNA | DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that contains genetic instructions for the development and functioning of living organisms. |
| DNA Transcription | DNA transcription is the process where RNA is formed using DNA as a template. |
| DNA Translation | DNA translation is the process where the genetic code in RNA is used to create proteins. |
| X-linked Trait | An X-linked trait is a genetic characteristic determined by genes on the X chromosome. |
| Cytosine, Guanine, Adenine, Thymine | These are the four nucleotide bases found in DNA. Cytosine pairs with guanine, and adenine pairs with thymine. |
| Carrier | A carrier is an individual who has one copy of a recessive gene for a genetic disorder but does not show symptoms. |
| Pedigree | A pedigree is a diagram that shows the occurrence and relationships of traits within a family over several generations. |
| Sex Chromosomes | Sex chromosomes are chromosomes that determine an individual's sex. In humans, they are called X and Y chromosomes. |
| Autosomes | Autosomes are chromosomes that are not directly involved in determining an individual's sex. |
| Inversion | Inversion is a genetic mutation where a section of DNA is reversed within the chromosome. |
| Duplication | Duplication is a genetic mutation where a section of DNA is repeated, causing extra copies of that genetic material. |
| Substitution | Substitution is a type of mutation where one nucleotide base is replaced by another in the DNA sequence. |
| Insertion | Insertion is a mutation where an extra nucleotide base is inserted into the DNA sequence. |
| Deletion | Deletion is a mutation where a nucleotide base is removed from the DNA sequence. |
| Karyotype | the general appearance of the complete set of chromosomes in the cells of a species or in an individual organism, mainly including their sizes, numbers, and shapes |
| Selective Breeding | the process of selecting organisms with desired traits to breed for the next generation |
| Cloning | the process of producing individual organisms with identical genomes, either by natural or artificial means |
| Genetic Engineering | the process of creating changes in an organism’s DNA changing the genetic code so the organism will express a specifically selected trait |
| CRISPR/Cas9 | A two-part biotechnology that can directly edit specific regions of DNA in an organism to create a permanent change to the DNA molecule. |
| Codominance | a condition in which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a heterozygous individual is a combination of the phenotypes of the two homozygous parents. |
| Incomplete Dominance | a condition in which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a heterozygous individual is an intermediate of the phenotypes of the two homozygous parents. |
| chromatid | coiled or wrapped strands of DNA and proteins; half of a chromosome; semi-visible during late Interphase |
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