Genetics Flashcards
Allele
a variant form of a gene which can result in different traits or characteristics for a specific gene
Dominant Allele
a variation of a gene that is always shown in the phenotype, it masks the expression of the recessive allele
Recessive allele
a variant form of a gene that is only shown in the phenotype type when two copies of it are present
Genotype
someones unique sequence of DNA also known as the genetic makeup of an organism e.g TT, Tt, tt
Phenotype
the physical appearance of an organism, e.g height, eye colour and blood type
Heterozygous
a genotype in which an individual has two different alleles (one dominant, one recessive)
Homozygous
a genotype in which an individual has two of the same alleles (two dominant or two recessive)
Homozygous dominant symbol
BB
Heterozygous symbol
Bb
Homozygous recessive symbol
bb
Pedigree
a flow chart representing the passing down of genes - square represents male, circle represents female
Mitosis and Meiosis
two types of cell division
Mitosis
two genetically identical daughter cells responsible for repairing and growing new body cells
Meiosis
four genetically different daughter cells responsible for reproduction (create egg and sperm cells)
Heritable characteristics
traits or features that are passed from parent to child during the process of reproduction
Genes
the basic unit of heredity that is passed from parent to child. Genes are a segment of DNA that determine an organism’s traits and characteristics.
Chromosomes
a structure found inside the nucleus of a cell - you have 23 pairs of chromosomes (half from mum, half from dad) - chromosomes look like an x
Sex chromosomes
You get one sex chromosome from each parent. XY = biologically male. XX = biologically female.
DNA - deoxyribose nucleic acid
a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information and determines the characteristics of every living organism