Genetics
a branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms
Hereditary
the passing on of traits from one generation to another
Gene
a discrete unit of hereditary information found on sections of DNA that code for a trait
Allele
genes responsible for controlling different versions of a trait/characteristic found in the same locus on homologous chromosomes
Housekeeping genes
active in many types of cells making proteins needed for basic functions.
Hox genes
master control genes that determine the way in which the body develops from a single zygote
Gene pool
the set of all genes or genetic information in a population of sexually reproducing organisms.
Hybrid vigour
the improved or increased function of any biological quality in a hybrid offspring due to crossbreeding
Epigenetics
the control of genes
Genotype
the genetic makeup of an organism
Phenotype
the physiological traits/physical appearance of an organism
Genome
the complete complement of an organism's genes
Dominant allele
the allele that is expressed in a heterozygous state
Recessive allele
the allele that is suppressed in a heterozygous state
Homozygous
same alleles
Heterozygous
different alleles
Locus
the location of a gene
Monohybrid cross
a cross between parents with different alleles for a single gene
Genetic Engineering
any direct manipulation of an organism's genes
Biotechnology
Using scientific procedures to influence specific processes in living organisms which will benefit humans or improve the environment.
Recombinant DNA technology
A form of biotechnology used to introduce new, beneficial genes into an organism to create genetically modified organisms
Recombinant DNA
a form of DNA that does not exist naturally but is created by combining DNA sequences that would not normally occur together
Genetically modified organism (GMO)
an organism with introduced foreign DNA that results in new and useful traits
Homologous
having the same or a similar relation, value, structure, or purpose
Autosomes
a numbered chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; humans have 22 pairs.
Gonosome
a chromosome concerned with determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds.
Continuous Variation
graduations of a characteristic in a phenotype (eg. height)
Mutation
a sudden change in the genetic makeup (DNA) of an organism
Genealogy
the study of the direct descent of an individual from an ancestor
Vector
a virus (bacteriophage) or plasmid that transfers foreign genetic material into another cell
Plasmid
a circular, double-stranded DNA molecule found in the bacterial cells that are not part of the bacterial chromosome
Transformation
the change in a cell or organism brought about by the uptake of introduced foreign DNA
Transgenic Organism
an organism that develops from a cell with recombinant DNA
Gonad tissue
the undifferentiated sex organ that will later develop into the ovaries (female) or testis (male)
Gene therapy
An experimental genetic engineering technique that replaces a faulty gene or adds a new gene in an attempt to cure disease or improve the body’s ability to fight disease
Cloning
the processes used to create an exact genetic copy of another gene, cell, tissue, or organism
Totipotent
able to differentiate into any kind of cell by cell division to create an entire organism
Crossbreeding
involves the mating of animals from two breeds
Grafting
a method of asexual plant propagation that joins plant parts from different plants together so they will heal and grow as one plant
De-extinction
the process of creating or resembling an extinct species using techniques like somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) and contemporary biotechnology
Allergenicity
the ability of an antigen to induce an abnormal immune response