Genetics

Question 1

Allele:

Answer 1

Variant of a gene that determines a specific trait in an organism, like eye colour or blood type.

Question 2

Autosomal chromosome:

Answer 2

Chromosome that contains genes responsible for traits other than those related to sex characteristics.

Question 3

Autosomal gene:

Answer 3

Gene located on any of the non-sex chromosomes and contributes to traits that are not related to sex determination.

Question 4

Diploid cell:

Answer 4

A cell that contains 2 sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent, allowing for genetic diversity.

Question 5

Dominant allele:

Answer 5

A version of a gene that, when present, determines a specific trait in an organism, overriding the expression of a recessive allele.

Question 6

Gene:

Answer 6

Segment of DNA that contains instructions for building proteins or performing specific functions in an organism’s body.

Question 7

Genotype:

Answer 7

Genetic makeup or combination of alleles that an organism possesses for a particular trait or gene.

Question 8

Haploid cell:

Answer 8

A cell that contains only 1 set of chromosomes, half the number found in diploid cells, and is typically involved in sexual reproduction.

Question 9

Heterozygous:

Answer 9

Having different versions (alleles) of a gene at a specific genetic locus, typically inherited from each parent.

Question 10

Homologous chromosomes:

Answer 10

Pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry the same genes but may have different versions (alleles) of those genes.

Question 11

Homozygous:

Answer 11

Having identical alleles for a particular gene, which can either be dominant or recessive.

Question 12

Phenotype:

Answer 12

Observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by the genotype and influenced by environmental factors.

Question 13

Recessive allele:

Answer 13

Version of a gene that only shows its affect when paired with another identical recessive allele, typically overshadowed by a dominantly allele when present.

Question 14

Sex chromosome:

Answer 14

Chromosome that determines an individual’s biological sex, with males typically have one X and one Y, and females have two X chromosomes.

Question 15

Sex-linked gene:

Answer 15

Genes located on the sex chromosomes (x and y), with effects that are often more pronounced in one sex than other due to indifferences in chromosome inheritance.

Question 16

Sister chromatids:

Answer 16

Identical copies of a chromosome, created during DNA replication, that are held together by a structure called the centromere until they are separated during cell division.

Question 17

Tetrad:

Answer 17

Group of 4 chromatids, consisting of 2 pairs of sister chromatids, that are formed during the prophase I stage of meiosis when homologous chromosomes come together.