Genetics Vocab Flashcards
Meiosis
Specialized type of cell division that produces gametes (sex cells) with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell.
Genetics
Scientific study of heredity
Fertillzation
Process of sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell
Trait
Specific characteristic of an individual
Hybrid
Offspring of crosses between parents with different traits
Gene
Sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait; factor that is passed from parent to offspring
Allele
One of a number of different forms of a gene
Principle of dominance
Mendel’s second conclusion, which states that some alleles are dominant and others are recessive
Segregation
Separation of alleles during gamete formation
Gametes
Sex cell
Dominant
One that is expressed when an individual has at least one copy of the gene that causes that trait
Recessive
A trait or gene that’s only expressed when the genotype is homozygous, meaning both alleles of the trait causing gene are the same
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for a particular gene
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles for a particular gene
Probability
Llikelihood that a particulate event will occur
Phenotype
Physical characteristics of an organism
Genotype
Genetic makeup of an organism
Punnet square
Diagram that can be used to predict the genotype and phenotype combinations of a genetic cross
Incomplete dominance
Situation in which one allele is not completely dominant over another allele
Codominance
Situation in which the phenotypes produced by both alleles are completely expressed
Polygenic traits
Trait controlled by two or more genes
Multiple alleles
A gene that has more than two alleles
Pedigree
A diagram of family history that uses standardized symbols
Karyotype
An individual’s complete set of chromosomes, including their number, size, and shape
