Term | Definition |
DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that is present in all living cells and that contain the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live. |
Interphase | the period of the cell cycle during which activities such as cell growth and protein synthesis occur without visible signs of cell division. |
Chromosomes | In a eukaryotic cell, one of the structures in the nucleus that are made up of DNA and protein; in a prokaryotic cell, the main ring of DNA. |
mitosis | In eukaryotic cells, a process of cell division that forms two nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromosomes. |
cell cycle | the life cycle of a cell |
cytokinesis | the division of the cytoplasm of a cell. |
Homologous Chromosomes | chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes and the same structure. |
meiosis | a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells. |
asexual reproduction | reproduction that does not involve the union of sex cells and in which one parent produces offspring that are genetically identical to the parent. |
sexual reproduction | reproduction in which the sex cells from the two parents unite to produce offspring that share traits from both parents. |
fertilization | the union of a male and female gamete to form a zygote. |
heredity | the passing of genetic material from parent to offspring. |
gene | one set of instructions for an inherited trait. |
allele | one of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristic, such as hair color. |
genotype | the entire genetic makeup of an organism; also the combination of genes for one or more specific traits. |
phenotype | an organism's appearance or other detectable characteristic. |
dominant | in genetics, describes an allele that is fully expressed whenever the allele is present in an individual. |
recessive | describes an allele that will be masked unless the organism is homozygous for the trait. |
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. |
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. |
Punnett square | a graphic used to predict the results of a genetic cross. |
probability | |
ratio | |
pedigree | |