Question | Answer |
DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid, a molecule that is present in all living things and that contains the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live |
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 the DNA |
cell cycle | the life cycle of a cell |
interphase | the period of the cell cycle during which activities such as cell growth and protein synthesis occur without visible signs of cell division |
mitosis | in a eukaryotic cells, a process of cell division that forms two new nuclei, each of which has the same number of chromosomes |
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 progress in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number of two divisions of the nucleus, which results in production of sex cells |
asxual reproduction | reproduction that dose not involve the union of sex cells and in which one parent produces offspring that genetically identical to the parent |
sexual reproduction | reproduction in which the sex cells from 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 | the organism's appearance or other detectable characteristic |
dominant | in genetics, describes an allele that 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 domince | a condition in which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a heterozygous parents |
codominance | a condition in which two alleles are expressed such that the phenotype of a homozygous individual is a combination of the phenotypes of two homozygous parents |
punnet square | a graphic used to predict the results of a genetic cross |
ratio | a comparison of two numbers using division |
probability | the likely hood that a possible future event will occur in any given instance of the event |
pedigree | a diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family |