Genetics - ANSWER the study of heredity
Heredity - ANSWER the passing of traits from one generation to the next
Trait - ANSWER a specific characteristic that varies from one individual to another
Gene - ANSWER sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait
Genome - ANSWER the entire "library" of genetic instructions in DNA that an
organism inherits
Gregor Mendel - ANSWER father of genetics
Allele - ANSWER alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) located at a
specific position on a specific chromosome (a letter)
Dominant allele - ANSWER an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its
paired allele is identical or different (capital letter)
Recessive allele - ANSWER an allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only
when its paired allele is identical (lowercase letter)
1
, Genotype - ANSWER the combination of alleles located on homologous chromosomes
that determines a specific characteristic or trait (the allelic combination such as Bb)
Phenotype - ANSWER the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an
organism, as determined by the genotype (the expressed trait such as brown eyes)
Homozygous - ANSWER term used to refer to an organism that has two identical
alleles for the same trait (ex. BB or bb)
Heterozygous - ANSWER term used to refer to an organism that has two different
alleles for the same trait (ex. Bb)
Punnett square - ANSWER diagram showing the gene combinations that might result
from a genetic cross
Gamete (sex cell) - ANSWER specialized cell involved in sexual reproduction (sperm or
egg)
Probability - ANSWER the possibility of different outcomes (percentage or ratio)
Monohybrid cross - ANSWER a one-trait cross (ex. Color)
Dihybrid cross - ANSWER a two-trait cross (ex. Color & shape)
P generation - ANSWER parental generation is the first generation involving two
individuals that are mated to predict or analyze the genotypes of their offspring
F1 generation - ANSWER first filial generation is the generation resulting immediately
from a cross of the first set of parents (P generation)
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Heredity - ANSWER the passing of traits from one generation to the next
Trait - ANSWER a specific characteristic that varies from one individual to another
Gene - ANSWER sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait
Genome - ANSWER the entire "library" of genetic instructions in DNA that an
organism inherits
Gregor Mendel - ANSWER father of genetics
Allele - ANSWER alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) located at a
specific position on a specific chromosome (a letter)
Dominant allele - ANSWER an allele that produces the same phenotype whether its
paired allele is identical or different (capital letter)
Recessive allele - ANSWER an allele that produces its characteristic phenotype only
when its paired allele is identical (lowercase letter)
1
, Genotype - ANSWER the combination of alleles located on homologous chromosomes
that determines a specific characteristic or trait (the allelic combination such as Bb)
Phenotype - ANSWER the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an
organism, as determined by the genotype (the expressed trait such as brown eyes)
Homozygous - ANSWER term used to refer to an organism that has two identical
alleles for the same trait (ex. BB or bb)
Heterozygous - ANSWER term used to refer to an organism that has two different
alleles for the same trait (ex. Bb)
Punnett square - ANSWER diagram showing the gene combinations that might result
from a genetic cross
Gamete (sex cell) - ANSWER specialized cell involved in sexual reproduction (sperm or
egg)
Probability - ANSWER the possibility of different outcomes (percentage or ratio)
Monohybrid cross - ANSWER a one-trait cross (ex. Color)
Dihybrid cross - ANSWER a two-trait cross (ex. Color & shape)
P generation - ANSWER parental generation is the first generation involving two
individuals that are mated to predict or analyze the genotypes of their offspring
F1 generation - ANSWER first filial generation is the generation resulting immediately
from a cross of the first set of parents (P generation)
2
