heredity Flashcards
Heredity
The passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring
Dominant trait
the trait observed in the first generation when parents that have different traits are bred
recessive
a trait that reappears in the second generation after disappearing in the first generation when parents with different traits are bred
genes
one set of instructions for an inherited trait
alleles
one of the alternative forms of gene that governs a characteristics, sch as hair color.
phenotype
an organism’s appearance or other detectable characteristic.
genotype
the entire genetic makeup of an organism; also the combination of genes for one of more specific traits.
probability
the likelihood that a possible future event will occur in any given instance of the event.
meiosis
a process in cell division during which the number of chromosomes decreases to half the original number by two divisions of the nucleus, which results in the production of sex cells.
sex chromosomes
one of the pair of chromosomes that determine the sex of an individual.
pedigree
a diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.
DNA
a molecule that is present in all living cells and that contains the information that determines the traits that a living thing inherits and needs to live.
nucleotide
a nucleic-acid chain, a subunit that consists of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.
mutations
a change in the nucleotide-base sequence of a gene or DNA molecule.
