Question | Answer |
cells | the basic building blocks of living organisms |
nucleus | the control center of the cell; it contains your DNA |
DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid; it consists of strands of molecules that code and store genetic information. It is located in the nucleus of the cell. It's like a blueprint for your body. |
Watson & Crick | scientists who discovered the structure of the DNA molecule |
double helix | the shape of a DNA molecule; it looks like a twisted ladder |
heredity | the passing of traits from parents to offspring |
genetics | the science of heredity |
gene | the section of DNA that codes for one specific trait |
trait | characteristics such as leaf shape or eye color that are passed from parent to offspring |
dominant trait | a genetic trait that expresses itself more strongly than another trait |
recessive trait | a genetic trait that is hidden by a dominant trait |
ethics | the process of thinking & discussing by which we decide on issues of right (good) or wrong (bad) as applied to people and their actions. Science & technology determine what we CAN do. Ethics helps us decide what we SHOULD do. |
phenotype | The external appearance of an organism. What it looks like. |
genotype | The genetic makeup of an organism |
Gregor Mendel | Austrian monk known as the father of genetics |
Punnett square | A chart that shows all of the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross. |
allele | One version of a gene (Such as the dominant allele or the recessive allele.) |
inherited | To receive a trait from your parents. |
characteristic | A quality or feature that is typical of or serves to distinguish an organism or group from others. |
species | A group of similar organisms that can reproduce together and produce fertile offspring. |
offspring | The young of a person, animal, or plant. |
generation | A group of individuals born at about the same time. |
sexual reproduction | A form of reproduction that requires two parents and results in offspring who are genetically different from their parents. |
asexual reproduction | A form of reproduction that requires only one parent and results in offspring who are genetically identical to that parent. |
clone | an organism that is genetically identical to the organism from which it was produced |
fertilization | the uniting of a sperm cell with an egg cell to form a cell that will develop into a new individual |
mutation | a change in a gene or chromosome |
homozygous | an organism with 2 identical alleles for a trait |
heterozygous | an organism with two different alleles for a trait |
hybrid | an organism with a dominant allele and a recessive allele for a trait |