heredity Flashcards
heredity
the passing of genetic traits from parent to offspring
dominant
the trait observed in the first generation when parents that have different traits are bred.
recessive trait
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 a gene that governs a characteristic, like 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 or more specific traits.
probability
the like hood 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 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
deoxyribonucleic acid a molucule that is present in all living cells and that contains the information that determines the trait that a living thing inherits and needs to live.
nucleotide
in a nucleic-acid chain a subunit that consists of a sugar a phosphate and nitrogenous base
mutation
a change in the nucleotide base sequence of a gene or dna molucule
RNA
ribonucleic acid a molecule that is present in all living cells and that plays a role in protein production
