Genetic Terminology

Question 1

Gene

Answer 1

A length of DNA that codes for the production of a particular protein, and gives it a certain characteristic

Question 2

Chromosomes

Answer 2

A long molecule of DNA that contains genes

Question 3

Diploid

Answer 3

A cell with two copies of each chromosome, one inherited from the mother and one from the father

Question 4

Haploid

Answer 4

A cell with only one copy of each chromosome

Question 5

Homologous pair

Answer 5

A pair of chromosomes that contain the same genes

Question 6

Locus

Answer 6

The specific location of a gene on a chromosome

Question 7

Allele

Answer 7

A different form of a gene

Question 8

Genotype

Answer 8

The combination of alleles an organism has

Question 9

Phenotype

Answer 9

The feature of the organism has due to its alleles

Question 10

Homozygous

Answer 10

When the two alleles for a gene are the SAME in an organism

Question 11

Heterozygous

Answer 11

When the two alleles for a gene are DIFFERENT in an organism

Question 12

Dominant

Answer 12

The term given to an allele that has its full effect on the phenotype even when a different allele of the same gene is present. The abbreviation for the allele is a capital letter

Question 13

Recessive

Answer 13

The term given to an allele that only has an effect on the phenotype when no other type of allele is present. The abbreviation for the allele is a lower case letter.

Question 14

Codominant

Answer 14

Two different alleles for a gene where they both have an effect on the phenotype when one of each is present - neither recessive or dominant

Question 15

Multiple alleles

Answer 15

The term used to describe a situation where there are three or more different alleles for a gene