Unit 6 Vocab

Definitions courtesy of Max Rivas

Allele

One or Two more versions of DNA Sequence at a given genomic location

Epigenetics

The study of how cells control gene activity without changing the DNA sequence

Gene

The basic physical and functional unit of hederdity

Made up of Organisms

Genetics

The study of genes, genetic variation and heredity in organisms

Genotype

Is the complete set of genetic material

Alleles or variants in an induvidual

Phenotype

An individual’s observable traits, such as height,

Meiosis

A type of cell division in sexually reproductive organisms that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes

Gametes

The reproductive cell of a plant or animal

Fertilization

The union of 2 gametes

Diploid

The presence of 2 complete sets of chromosomes in an organisms cells with each parent of contributing a chromosome pair

Haploid

The presence or a single set of chromosomes in an organism cells

Polar body

A cell that separated from the immature ovum during metosis and that continues a nucleus produced in the first or second division of metosis but very little cytoplasm

Trait

A specific charachtistic of an individual

Homozygous

2 of the same allels

Heterozygous

2 different alleles

Homologous chromosome

Paired chrosmosome

Autosome

One of the numbered chromosomes as opposed to the sex chromosomes

Sex chromosome

A type of chromosome involved in sex determination

Carrier

An indivudiual who “carries” and can pass on to offspring a genome veriant

Sex-linked gene

Characteristics that are influenced by genes carried on; the sex chromosome

Incomplete dominance

A type of inherentence in which two versions (allels) of the same gene are expressed

Codominance

A type of inheritance in which 2 versions (allels) of the same gene are expressed seperatly to yield different traits in an individual

Polygenic trait

A characteristic such as height or skin color that is influenced by 2+ genes.

Somatic Cell

any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells.

Egg

An organic vessel where an embryo develops and one in which the female of an animal species lay as a means of reproduction