Introduction to Genetics / Principles of Genetic Inheretance Flashcards
Define a gene.
A segment of DNA on a chromosome. Each gene occupies, a specific place, or locus/loci.
What is a chromatid?
One of two identical copies of a chromosome.
Sister chormatids vs homologus chromosomes.
- Sister chromatid: one of two identical copies of a chomosome after replication.
- Homologus chromosomes: 2 copies of each gene (one is from your mom the other is from your dad).

What is a centromere?
Connects identical sister chromatids.
What is a telomere?
A region at the end of a chromosome for stability.
Locus
Location of gene
What is a karyotype?
process by which cytogeneticists take photographs of chromosomes in order to determine the chromosome complement of an individual, including the number of chromosomes and any abnormalies.
- Each chromosome in the karyotype is presented as a single condensed or as a duplicated chromosome
- Normal human karyotype is written 46XY (male); 46XX (female)
Genotype meaning
an individual’s genetic makeup
- Homozygous: two identical alleles
- Heterozygous: two different alleles
- The dominant allele dictates the phenotype
- Only a homozygous recessive genotype will affect the phenotype
Phenotype
What is actually observed, ie: physical appearance.
Pleiotropy
the production by a single gene of two or more apparently unrelated effects.
Some alleles are not fully dominant or recessive. Thus any pattern of inheritance in which traits do not segregate in accordance to laws is called __________. Examples include: ________ and _______.
- Mendel’s Laws
- Co dominance
- incomplete dominance
Germ line vs Somatic cells
Germline cells: reproductive cells.
Somatic cells: Any other cells than reproductive cells
All human somatic cells are _______.
Diploid
Autosome
Chromosomes common in both genders (obtained form each parent).
Sex chromosome
X for female, Y for male.
Co dominance
Think of the pink and white flower. Both colors show 50/50.
Allele
Variant form of a given gene. IE (cc, CC, Cc).
What is lyonization?
- It is also called X-inactivation.
- this occurs in females because they have 2 x chromosomes. Thus a random chromsomes is inactivated “turned off”.
Mosacicsm
Two or more populations of cells with different genotypes in a individual who has developed from a single fertilized egg.
- It results from errors in cell divison

Down Syndrome
some 46XX; some 47XX,+21
Klinefelter Syndrome
Some 46 XY, some 47 XXY.
Turner Syndrome
Some 46 XX some 45 XO.
__ gene encodes for betaglobin subunit for hemogobin.
HBB
Thalassemia
- Under production of hemoglobin
- A lack of hemoglobin disrupts the normal development of red blood cells.
- A shortage of mature red blood cells can reduce the amount of oxygen that is delivered to tissues to below what is needed to satisfy the body’s energy needs.
- A lack of oxygen in the body’s tissues can lead to poor growth, organ damage, and other health problems associated with beta thalassemia.




