Definitions

Question 1

an organism which lacks pigment in skin, feathers, hair, eyes etc.

Answer 1

albino

Question 2

a pair of genes located at corresponding positions on homologous chromosomes. alternatives in inheritance

Answer 2

alleles

Question 3

an artificial means used to fertilise eggs. sperm can be collected, stored and injected into the female when required. eggs may also be collected and artificially fertilised

Answer 3

artificial insemination

Question 4

chromosomes other than sex chromosomes. humans have 22 pairs of these

Answer 4

autosomes

Question 5

rod-like bodies seen in cells undergoing division. they carry genes in which are encoded all the genetic messages

Answer 5

chromosomes

Question 6

the genetic material in the cell. makes up most of the chromosomes

Answer 6

DNA

Question 7

a unit of inherited material which carries or transmits hereditary information from one generation to the next

Answer 7

gene

Question 8

the total of all the genes available within a specific population

Answer 8

gene pool

Question 9

the genes of an organism (expressed in pairs of letters)

Answer 9

genotype

Question 10

an organism which shows a mutation in its phenotype

Answer 10

mutant

Question 11

a permanent inheritable change in a gene or chromosome

Answer 11

mutation

Question 12

the observable characteristics of an organism. the expression of its genotype

Answer 12

phenotype

Question 13

chromosomes which determine the sex of an individual. in humans, they are X and Y

Answer 13

sex chromosome

Question 14

this occurs when a characteristic is located on one of the sex chromosomes, usually the X chromosome in humans. such characteristics occur much more commonly in one sex than the other (usually males in humans)

Answer 14

sex-linked

Question 15

differences between organisms of the same species due to differences in their genotypes

Answer 15

variation