Inheritance Glossary

Question 1

Gene

Answer 1

A section of DNA which codes for a specific protein

Question 2

Homozygous

Answer 2

Two alleles for a characteristic are the same

Question 3

Dominant allele

Answer 3

Only one copy is needed of this allele to determine the phenotype ( capitals letter )

Question 4

Sex chromosome

Answer 4

Chromosome pair 23 which determines gender. An XX is female, XY is a male

Question 5

Haploid h for half

Answer 5

Chromosome number in sex cells. This is 23 in humans

Question 6

Heterozygous

Answer 6

Two alleles for a characteristic are different

Question 7

Codominance

Answer 7

When two different alleles are both expressed in the phenotype

Question 8

Recessive

Answer 8

Two copies of this allele are needed to determine the phenotype

Question 9

Phenotype

Answer 9

Feature that results from the genotype (physical expression of the gene)

Question 10

Chromosome

Answer 10

Structure found in the nucleus, made of DNA and containing thousands of genes

Question 11

Neucleotide

Answer 11

Component of a DNA molecule. Made up of a sugar (pentose), phosphate and nitrogenous base

Question 12

Diploid

Answer 12

Chromosome number in normal body cells. 46 in humans

Question 13

Allele

Answer 13

A specific version of a gene

Question 14

Bases

Answer 14

Component of a DNA molecule. There are 4 types A, with T, and C with G

Question 15

Homozygous

Answer 15

Pair of chromosomes with same sequence of genes. One is maternal and the other is paternal

Question 16

Genotype

Answer 16

Describes the alleles for a specific characteristic