Basic Genetics Terminology

Question 1

Dominant trait

Answer 1

The trait that appears in the F1 HYBRIDS (HETEROZYGOTES) resulting from mating between PURE-BREEDING parental strains showing antagonistic PHENOTYPES.

Question 2

RNA

Answer 2

Polymer of ribonucleotides found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of cells. Plays a role in protein synthesis.

Question 3

Polymer

Answer 3

A linked chain of repeating subunits that form a larger molecule. (DNA is a type of polymer)

Question 4

DNA

Answer 4

Deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule of heredity that ENCODES genetic information.

Question 5

Heredity

Answer 5

The way GENES transmit physiological, physical, and behavioral traits from parents to offspring.

Question 6

Chromosome

Answer 6

The self replicating GENETIC STRUCTURES of cells containing the DNA that carries in its nucleotide sequence (the linear array of genes).

Question 7

Heterozygote

Answer 7

An individual with TWO DIFFERENT ALLELES for a given GENE or locus.

Question 8

Monohybrid Cross

Answer 8

Crosses between parents that DIFFER in ONLY ONE trait.

Question 9

HAPLOID

Answer 9

A SINGLE set of CHROMOSOMES present in the egg and sperm cells of animals and in the egg and pollen cells of plants.

Question 10

DIPLOID

Answer 10

ZYGOTES and other cells carrying TWO MATCHING sets of Chromosomes.

Question 11

Mutations

Answer 11

Heritable alterations in the DNA sequence.

Question 12

Epistatic

Answer 12

Describes an ALLELE of ONE GENE that’s MASKS the effects of ONE or MORE ALLELES of another GENE.

Question 13

Wild type

Answer 13

Allele present in > 1% of the population

Question 14

Non mutant PHENOTYPE

Answer 14

Complementation

Question 15

Mutant PHENOTYPE

Answer 15

Fail to compliment

Same gene