Term | Definition |
Alleles | one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome. |
heredity | the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another. |
trait | a distinguishing quality or characteristic, typically one belonging to a person. |
recessive | relating to or denoting heritable characteristics controlled by genes that are expressed in offspring only when inherited from both parents, i.e., when not masked by a dominant characteristic inherited from one parent. |
dominant | most important, powerful, or influential. |
phenotype | the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment. |
genotype | the genetic constitution of an individual organism. |
homozygous | a word that refers to a particular gene that has identical alleles on both homologous chromosomes. |
heterozygous | individuals who are homozygous for a certain gene carry two copies of the same allele. |
mutation | the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA |
replication | the action of copying or reproducing something. |
nucleotide | a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group. Nucleotides form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA. |
transcription | the first step of gene expression, in which a particular segment of DNA is copied into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase. |
translation | step in protein biosynthesis wherein the genetic code carried by mRNA is decoded to produce the specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain |
karyotyping | to detect chromosomal abnormalities. |
codon | a sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule. |
anticodon | a sequence of three nucleotides forming a unit of genetic code in a transfer RNA molecule, corresponding to a complementary codon in messenger RNA. |
recombinant DNA | DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms. |
restriction enzyme | an enzyme produced chiefly by certain bacteria, having the property of cleaving DNA molecules at or near a specific sequence of bases. |
genetic engineering | the deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. |