Hereditary Characteristics

Question 1

DNA

Answer 1

Deoxyribonucleic Acid is a molecule that carries genetic information and is arranged in a double helix. The information is stored in the genes. This information is what makes organisms unique.

Question 2

Allele

Answer 2

An allele are variants of a gene. Sometimes different alleles result in different traits on the organism. (eye colour, skin colour)

Question 3

Genotype

Answer 3

The genotype is the unique genetic makeup of each individual organism but can also refer to a specific gene or set of genes in the individual.

Question 4

Phenotype

Answer 4

The phenotype is the physical characteristics of the organism. Can be influenced by the genotype as well as external sources.

Question 5

Dominant Genes

Answer 5

The dominant genes come from dominant alleles. If there are 2 alleles if there are any dominant alleles than they will be shown in the phenotype.

Question 6

Recessive Genes

Answer 6

The recessive genes come from recessive alleles. If there are 2 alleles than both must be recessive for it to be shown in the phenotype otherwise it is masked by the dominant gene.

Question 7

Chromosome

Answer 7

A DNA molecule with part of the genome of an organism.

Question 8

Inheritance

Answer 8

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes with half from each parent. If 1 parent has brown eyes and the other has blue eyes, the resulting child will have brown eyes as it is the dominant gene.

Question 9

Co-dominance

Answer 9

Closely related to incomplete dominance is co-dominance, in which both alleles are simultaneously expressed in the heterozygote.

Question 10

Incomplete Dominance

Answer 10

One allele for a specific trait is not completely expressed over its paired allele; - the blending of traits (White flower + red flower = pink flower)