Heredity
Heredity is the passing on of characteristics from parent to offspring.
Trait
A trait is a characteristic that is inherited and can be dominant or a recessive.
Genetics
Genetics is the study of an organisms heredity.
Gamete
Gametes are male and female sex cells.
Fertilization
Fertilization is the fusion, or combination, of male and female gametes.
Zygote
A zygote is a diploid cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg.
Pollination
Pollination is when a male reproductive organs to a female reproductive organs. Usually in plants of the same species.
Hybrid
A hybrid is an offspring formed by parents with different forms of traits.
Allele
An allele is an alternative form of a gene for each variation of a trait.
Dominant
The dominant gene is a trait that covers up the recessive trait. EX: Rr, Bb...the bigger letter is the dominant gene.
Recessive
A recessive gene is gene that is covered up by the dominant gene. Ex: Rr, Bb...the small letter is the recessive gene.
Law of segregation
Phenotype
A phenotype is the outward characteristics of an organism. Ex: Blue eyes or green eyes.
Genotype
A genotype is the genetic makeup of the characteristics. Ex: Rr, Bb
Homozygous
Homozygous is when there are two identical alleles for a trait.
Heterozygous
Heterozygous is when there are two different alleles for a trait.
Law of independent Assortment
Diploid
A diploid is a cell with two of each kind of chromosomes.
Haploid
Haploid is a cell with one of each kind of chromosomes.
Homologous Chromosome
Homologous Chromosome is the paired chromosomes with genes for the same traits arranged in the same order.
Meiosis
Sperm
A sperm is the male sex cell.
Egg
An egg is the female sex cell.
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction is the fusion of both male and female sex cells to produce an offspring.
Crossing over
Crossing over is the exchange of genetic material between non sister chromatids.
Genetic Recombination
Genetic Recombination is the main source of genetic variation.
Non-disjunction
Nondisjunction is the failure of homologous chromosomes to separate properly during meiosis.
Nitrogenous Base
Nitrogenous Base is the carbon ring structure found in DNA or RNA that contains one or more atoms of nitrogen.
Double Helix
Double helix is the shape of a DNA molecule formed when two twisted strands are coiled into a springlike structure and held together by hydrogen bonds.
DNA replication
DNA replication is a process in which chromosomal DNA is copied before mitosis or meiosis.
Messenger RNA
Messenger RNA is RNA that transports info from DNA in the nucleus to the cell's cytoplasm.
Ribosomal RNA
Ribosomal RNA is RNA that makes up the ribosomes.
Transfer RNA
Transfer RNA is RNA that transports amino acids to the ribosomes to be assembled into proteins.
Transcription
Transcription is the process in the cell nucleus where enzymes make and RNA copy of a DNA strand.
Mutation
Mutation is any change in a DNA sequence.
Point Mutation
Chromosomal Mutation
Chromosomal Mutation is mutation that occurs and is resulting in changes in the gene distribution to gametes during meiosis.
Mutagen
Mutagen is any agent that can cause a change in DNA.
Pedigree
Pedigree is the graphic representation of genetic inheritance used by genetics.
Carrier
A carrier is an individual heterozygous for a specific trait.
Fetus
A fetus is a developing mammal from 9 week to birth.
Incomplete dominance
Incomplete dominance is an inheritance pattern in which the phenotype of a heterozygote is intermediate between those of the the two homozygotes.
Codominant Allele
A co-dominant allele is a pattern where phenotypes of both homozygote parents are produced i heterozygous offspring.
Multiple Allele
Multiple allele is the presents of more than two alleles in a trait.
Autosomes
Autosomes are pairs of matching homologous chromosomes.
Sex chromosomes
Sex chromosomes is the 23rd pair of chromosomes determining the sex of an individual.
Sex-linked traits
Sex-linked traits are traits controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes.
Polygenic Inheritance
This is the inheritance of traits controlled by two or more genes.
Karyotype
This when the metaphase chromosome pairs arranged according to length and location of the centromere.