Understanding Inheritance

Chromosomes

Structures within cells that contain DNA, carrying genetic information essential for inheritance.

gene

a segment of DNA that encodes for a specific protein or trait, influencing an organism's characteristics.

phenotype

the observable physical and biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype and environmental factors.

genotype

the genetic constitution of an organism, representing the alleles inherited from its parents.

homozygous

having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

heterozygous

having two different alleles for a particular gene.

punnet square

a diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross by showing the possible combinations of alleles from parents.

incomplete dominance

a genetic situation in which neither allele is completely dominant over the other, resulting in a blending of traits in the offspring.

codominance

a genetic situation where both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, resulting in offspring with a phenotype that displays both traits distinctly.

polygenic inheritance

a type of inheritance where multiple genes influence a trait, often resulting in continuous variation in phenotypes.