biology glossary Flashcards
define nucleotide
the basic building block of nuclei acid
define DNA
deoxyribonucleiec acid
define chromosone
a threadlike structure made of protien and a single molecule of DNA that serve to carry the gentic information from one cell to another cell
autosomal chromosone
chromosone that are not sex chromosones
sex chromosome
a type of chromosome involved in determining the sex
allele
variations of a gene
define gene
the basic unit of inheritance
define trait
specific characteristics of an individual determined by a gene
define dominant trait
a trait that will appear in the offspring if one parent cell has it
define recessive trait
a trait that is masked by a dominant trait and will only appear in offspring if both parent cells have it
define homozygous
individuals carrying two identical alleles
define hetrozygous
individuals carrying two deifferent alleles
define genotype
the genetic makeup of an organism
define phenotype
an individuals observable traits
define pedigree
the gentic background of an organism