Term | Definition |
Allele | One of a number of different forms of a gene |
Fertilization | Process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to from a new cell |
Gamete | Sex Cell |
Gene | Sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait; factor that is passed from parent to offspring |
Genetics | Scientific study of heredity |
Hybrid | Offspring of crosses between parents with different traits |
Principle of dominance | Mendel's second conclusion, which states that some alleles are dominant and others are recessive |
Segregation | Separation of alleles during gamete formation |
Trait | Specific characteristic of an individual |
Genotype | Genetic makeup of an organism |
Heterozygous | Having two different alleles for a particular gene |
Homozygous | Having identical alleles for a particular gene |
Independent assortment | One of Mendel's principles that states that genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes |
Phenotype | Physical characteristic of an organism |
Probability | Likelihood that a particular event will happen |
Punnett Square | Diagram that can be used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of a genetic cross |
Codominance | Situation in which one allele is not completely dominant over another allele |
Incomplete Dominance | Situation in which the phenotypes produced by both alleles are completely expressed |
Multiple allele | A gene that has more than two alleles |
Polygenic trait | Trait controlled by two or more genes |