Heredity & Genetics

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, the material that contains the information that determines inherited characteristics

Allele

The different forms of a gene; could be dominant or recessive

Heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring

Genetics

The scientific study of heredity

Gregor Mendel

The father of genetics - Experimented with pea plants

Punnett Square

A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross

dominant trait

A genetic trait is considered dominant if it is expressed in a person who has only one copy of the gene associated with the trait.

Ressessive trait

Can be masked by a dominant trait and carried to the next generation. Shown if two recessive traits are present. bb

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait ex. BB or bb

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait ex. Bb

inherited trait

A characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring.

Environmental Trait

A trait that was influenced by an organism's environment

Genotype

genetic makeup of an organism ( Genes shown with letters)

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

Trait

A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes.

Meiosis

Cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms that will eventually pass down traits to offspring