Genetics Flashcards
Genetics
The scientific study of heredity.
Heredity
The passage of genetic instructions from one generation to the next generation
Gregor Mendel
Father of genetics
Allele
Different forms of a gene
Gene
A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait.
A sequences of DNA that determines a trait and is passed from parent to offspring.
Traits
A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.
Dominant Allele
An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.
Recessive Allele
An allele that is masked/hidden when a dominant allele is present.
Phenotype
An organism’s physical appearance, or visible traits.
Genotype
genetic makeup of an organism, or allele combinations
Punnett Square
A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross.
Homozygous Dominant
Both alleles (factors) for a trait are the same and dominant (AA).
Heterozygous
An organism that has two different alleles for a trait.
Homozygous Recessive
Both alleles (factors) for a trait are the same and recessive (aa)
Purebred
the offspring of many generations that have the same traits.
