Heredity Vocab Flashcards
Heredity
the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
Dominant Trait
an inherited characteristic that appears in an offspring if it is contributed from a parent through a dominant allele
Recessive Trait
being or produced by a form of a gene whose effect can be hidden by a dominant gene
Genes
The basic unit of heredity that occupies a specific location on a chromosome.
Alleles
one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
Phenotype
the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Genotype
the genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Probability
the extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case.
Meiosis
a type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes and plant spores.
Sex chromosomes
a chromosome involved with determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds.
Pedigree
a register recording a line of ancestors
DNA
a self-replicating material that is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
Nucleotide
a compound consisting of a nucleoside linked to a phosphate group. Nucleotides form the basic structural unit of nucleic acids such as DNA.
Mutations
the changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations, caused by the alteration of single base units in DNA, or the deletion, insertion, or rearrangement of larger sections of genes or chromosomes
RNA
Short for ribonucleic acid. … The nucleic acid that is used in key metabolic processes for all steps of protein synthesis in all living cells and carries the genetic information of many viruses.
