Genetics Vocabulary

Question 1

Traits

Answer 1

A distinguishing quality or characteristic.
Physical characteristics are studied in genetics.

Question 2

Heredity

Answer 2

The passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically.

Question 3

Genetics

Answer 3

The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.

Question 4

Purebred

Answer 4

Bred from parents of the same breed or variety.

Question 5

Genes

Answer 5

The basic unit of heredity passed from parent to child.
Genes are factors that control traits.

Question 6

Alleles

Answer 6

One or two more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place of a chromosome.
Different forms of a gene.

Question 7

Recessive

Answer 7

Both genes in a pair must be abnormal to cause disease.

Question 8

Heterozygous

Answer 8

Having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes.

Question 9

Dominate

Answer 9

Most important, powerful, or influential.

Question 10

Gregor Mendel

Answer 10

Father of Genes

Question 11

Hybrids

Answer 11

The off-spring of two plants or animals.
An organism that had two different Alles for a trait.

Question 12

Probability

Answer 12

A measurement tool that helps us predict chances of an off-spring.
The likelihood that a typical event will occur.

Question 13

Cross Pollination

Answer 13

Plant with pollen from another flower or plant

Question 14

Genetic Engineering

Answer 14

The deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism.

Question 15

Phenotype

Answer 15

The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Refers to the expression of the trait. Exp blue eyes or green eyes.

An organism physical appearance.

Question 16

Genotype

Answer 16

Refers to the exact pairing of alleles. Exp BB, Bb, bb.

Not concerned with expression. Only pairing.

Genetic makeup.

Question 17

Homozygous

Answer 17

having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes.

Question 18

Codominance

Answer 18

A type of inheritance in which 2 versions (alleles) of the same gene are expressed.
Alles are neither dominant or recessive.

Question 19

Incomplete Dominance

Answer 19

a form of Gene interaction in which both alleles of a gene at a locus are partially expressed, often resulting in an intermediate or different phenotype. It is also known as partial dominance.
For eg., in roses, the allele for red colour is dominant over the allele for white colour.

Question 20

Multiple Alleles

Answer 20

an allele of a genetic locus having more than two allelic forms within a population.

Question 21

Blood Type

Answer 21

Another term for Blood Group

any of the various types of human blood whose antigen characteristics determine compatibility in transfusion. The best known blood groups are those of the ABO system.

Question 22

XY

Answer 22

Male sex chromosome

Question 23

XX

Answer 23

Female sex chromosome

Question 24

Pedigree

Answer 24

Record of descendent of an animal.

Question 25

Genetic Disorder

Answer 25

Harmful change to a gene.

Question 26

46 Chromosomes

Answer 26

Normally, each cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). Half come from the mother; the other half come from the father. Two of the chromosomes (the X and the Y chromosome) determine your sex as male or female when you are born.