Medalian Genetics Flashcards
bio30
What is genetic inheritance?
The process by which traits are passed from parents to offspring through genes.
Who was Gregor Mendel?
An Austrian monk who studied inheritance in pea plants and is known as the Father of Genetics.
What are alleles?
Different versions of a gene, such as those for eye color (e.g., brown and blue).
What does it mean if an allele is dominant?
A dominant allele expresses its trait even if only one copy is present (e.g., B for brown eyes).
What does it mean if an allele is recessive?
A recessive allele only expresses its trait if two copies are present (e.g., b for blue eyes).
What is a genotype?
The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by letters (e.g., BB, Bb, or bb).
What is a phenotype?
The physical appearance of a trait based on the genotype (e.g., brown eyes or blue eyes).
What is a homozygous genotype?
A genotype where both alleles are the same, either dominant (BB) or recessive (bb).
What is a heterozygous genotype?
A genotype where one dominant and one recessive allele are present (e.g., Bb).
What is a Punnett square?
A diagram used to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios of offspring.
What is Mendel’s Law of Segregation?
Each gamete receives only one allele for a gene, ensuring genetic variation.
What is a monohybrid cross?
A genetic cross involving a single trait.
What is a test cross?
A cross used to determine if an individual with a dominant phenotype is homozygous or heterozygous.
What is incomplete dominance?
A pattern where two alleles blend to create an intermediate phenotype (e.g., red and white flowers producing pink flowers).
What is codominance?
A pattern where both alleles are expressed equally in different areas (e.g., a roan cow with both red and white hairs).
What is sickle cell anemia?
A genetic disorder caused by a codominant allele, where carriers (HbAHbS) have resistance to malaria.
How do multiple alleles affect inheritance?
Some genes have more than two alleles, such as human blood types (IA, IB, and i).
What are the possible human blood type phenotypes?
Type A, Type B, Type AB, and Type O.
What are the possible human blood type genotypes?
IAIA, IAi (Type A), IBIB, IBi (Type B), IAIB (Type AB), and ii (Type O).
What is the purpose of a genetic cross?
To determine the likelihood of traits appearing in offspring.
