DNA Vocab Terms/Things to Know 🧬

Heredity

How characteristics/traits are passed down from parents to offspring

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

(5 Sugar, C,H,O,N,P)

Gene

A segment of DNA that codes for a particular protein, passed down from generation to generation

Chromosome

Long tightly packed piece of DNA

Allele

One, two, or more alternative forms of a gene found at the same place on a chromosome

Dominant Allele

DNA that produces fully function protein (represented by CAPTIAL LETTERS)

Recessive Allele

DNA that does not make a fully functional protein, or will not make a protein at all

Homozygous

Contains two identical alleles

Heterozygous

Contains two different alleles

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual/organism

Phenotype

The observable characteristic of an individual (what you can see, such as eyes)

Base Pair Rule

A (adenine) bonds with T (thymine)

C (cytosine) bonds with G (guanine)

DNA Shape

A double helix structure, consisting of two strands twisted around each other.