Advanced 7th Grade Life Science Unit 4: Genetics Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms in genetics from the 7th grade Life Science curriculum.

Alleles

Alternative forms of a gene that result in different traits.

Artificial selection/Selective Breeding

The process of intentionally choosing and breeding organisms with desirable traits to produce offspring with those traits.

Asexual reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves only one parent, and the offspring are genetically identical to the parent.

Chromosomes

Thread-like structures found in the nucleus of cells that carry genetic information in the form of DNA.

Dominant allele

An allele that is expressed or observed as a trait when present in either one or both copies in an individual's genotype.

DNA

Molecule present in all living things; contains the genetic information that determines the traits that an organism inherits.

Fertilization

Fusion of male and female gametes to form a new individual.

Gametes

Specialized reproductive cells, such as sperm and eggs, that carry half the number of chromosomes found in other cells.

Gene

Segments of DNA that are the basic units of heredity.

Genetics

Branch of biology that studies how traits are inherited.

Genotype

Genetic makeup of an organism, including the combination of alleles present for a particular trait.

Heredity

The passing on of traits from parents to offspring through genetic information.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Hybrid

An offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of two different individuals.

Meiosis

Cell division which produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that results in the formation of two identical daughter cells.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of a gene or chromosome.

Phenotype

The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism.

Purebred

An organism that has a homozygous genotype for a particular trait.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring.

Recessive Allele

An allele that is expressed as a trait only when present in two copies in an individual's genotype.

Selective breeding

Intentionally breeding organisms with desirable traits.

Sexual reproduction

A type of reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes from two parents.

Trait

A specific characteristic or feature of an organism.

Inherited trait

A trait that is passed down from parents to offspring through genetic information.

Acquired trait

A trait that is not inherited but is developed during an individual's lifetime.

Variation

Differences or diversity among individuals of the same species.

Offspring

New individuals produced as a result of reproduction, inheriting genetic material from their parents.

Clone/Cloning

The process of creating an identical copy of an organism or a specific gene.

Codominance

A genetic phenomenon where both alleles of a gene are fully expressed in the phenotype.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material or DNA present in an organism.

Gene Therapy

A medical technique that aims to treat or prevent disease by modifying a patient's genes.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's chromosomes arranged in pairs.

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the genetic relationships within a family over multiple generations.

Sex-linked

Traits or genes located on the sex chromosomes.

Dihybrid

An individual or a cross involving two different traits.

Monohybrid

An individual or a cross involving a single trait.

Incomplete dominance

A form of inheritance where one allele is not completely expressed over its paired allele.

RNA

A nucleic acid that carries instructions from DNA for protein synthesis.

Haploid

Cells that contain one complete set of chromosomes.

Diploid

Cells that contain two complete sets of chromosomes.

Probability

The likelihood that an event is going to occur.