Unit 7 - Genetics Vocabulary Flashcards
“Father” of genetics?
Gregor Mendel
Gene
A segment on DNA that codes for a trait or protein.
Homologous Chromosomes
Paired chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry genes for a specific trait at the same locations.
Gamete
Sex cells. Sperm or egg.
Haploid
A cell having 1/2 the genetic information as a normal cell. They are sex cells (sperm or egg) that combine to become normal, diploid cells.
Diploid
A cell that has two copies of each chromosome.Normal cells.
Homozygous
The organism has two of the same alleles for a specific trait. TT or tt.
Heterozygous
The organism has two different alleles for a specific trait. Tt
Genotype
The genetic make-up of an organism.
Phenotype
The observable characteristics that is expressed. What the organism looks like.
Mendel’s Law of Segregation
States that the individual alleles separate during meiosis or sex cell formation.
Genetic Recombination
A new combination of genes produced by crossing over and independent assortment.
Carrier
Someone who is heterozygous for a recessive disorder such as cystic fibrosis or Tay-sachs disease.
Pedigree
A diagram showing the family history to document the inheritance patterns of a trait through several generations.
Codominance
Neither allele is dominant and both are expressed in the phenotype.
Nondisjunction
Cell division where two sister chromosomes don’t separate correctly. It results in an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Gene Regulation
The ability of an organism to control which genes are expressed in response to the environment.
Mutation
A permanent change in a cell’s DNA.
Mutagen
A substance that causes mutations.
Selective breeding
Human directed breeding to produce plants and animals with desired traits.
Test Cross
Breeding that can be used to determine an organism’s genotype.
Genetic Engineering
Technology used to manipulate an organism’s DNA by inserting the DNA of another organism.
Recombinant DNA
A new piece of DNA made from DNA another source.
