Mendelian Genetics and Chromosome Analysis

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes about Mendelian Genetics and Chromosome Analysis.

Known as the Father of Modern Genetics, studied heredity using pea plants.

Gregor Mendel

The genetic transmission of characteristics from parents to offspring.

Heritability

Plants that, when self-fertilized, produce offspring identical to themselves.

True-breeding

A trait that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one allele is present.

Dominant trait

A trait that is expressed only when two copies of the allele are present.

Recessive trait

Reproductive cells that carry one allele from each gene pair.

Gametes

The first filial generation, offspring resulting from the parental generation.

F1 Generation

The second filial generation, offspring resulting from self-fertilization of F1 plants.

F2 Generation

The principle that alleles segregate during gamete formation.

Law of Segregation

The observable traits expressed in an organism.

Phenotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of its alleles.

Genotype

An individual with two identical alleles for a trait.

Homozygous

An individual with two different alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous

A diagram used to predict the genotype and phenotype ratios of offspring.

Punnett Square

A genetic cross involving two different traits.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross involving a single trait.

Monohybrid Cross

The principle stating that genes segregate independently of one another.

Independent Assortment

Different forms or variants of a gene.

Alleles

A genetic situation where one allele does not completely dominate another, resulting in a phenotype that is a blend.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype.

Co-dominance

The ability of a single gene to affect multiple traits.

Pleiotropy

The presence of more than two alleles for a genetic trait within a population.

Multiple Alleles

Inheritance of a trait determined by genes located on sex chromosomes.

Sex-linked Inheritance

Traits linked to genes on the X chromosome which are expressed primarily in males.

X-Linked Recessive

Traits linked to genes on the X chromosome which are expressed in both genders.

X-Linked Dominant

A structure composed of DNA and proteins carrying genetic information.

Chromosome

A cell that contains two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Diploid

A cell that contains one set of chromosomes.

Haploid

The number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell.

Karyotype

Proteins around which DNA winds to form chromatin.

Histones

The region of a chromosome where the two sister chromatids are joined.

Centromere

One of the two identical halves of a chromosome.

Chromatid

Less condensed form of chromatin, active in transcription.

Euchromatin

Tightly packed form of DNA, inactive in transcription.

Heterochromatin

A chromosome with its centromere located at the center, resulting in two arms of equal lengths.

Metacentric Chromosome

A chromosome with the centromere slightly away from the center, producing one short arm and one long arm.

Submetacentric Chromosome

A chromosome with the centromere close to one end, producing a very short arm.

Acrocentric Chromosome

A chromosome with its centromere at one end, resulting in only one arm.

Telocentric Chromosome

A chromosome with a single centromere.

Monocentric Chromosome

A chromosome with two centromeres.

Dicentric Chromosome

A chromosome without a centromere.

Acentric Chromosome

A staining technique to visualize chromosomes under a microscope, revealing band patterns.

G-Banding

A method using fluorescence to detect chromosome patterns, particularly for Y chromosomes.

Q-Banding

A visual representation of the chromosomes in a karyotype ordered by size and shape.

Karyogram

The complex of DNA and proteins that make up a chromosome.

Chromatin

A type of cell division that results in two identical daughter cells.

Mitosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes with half the number of chromosomes.

Meiosis

A substance that stimulates cellular division and reaction.

Mitogen

Tissue from the placenta used for prenatal genetic analysis.

Chorionic Villi

Fluid surrounding the embryo, often used for prenatal testing.

Amniotic Fluid

A type of white blood cell used for genetic analysis.

Lymphocytes

A drug that inhibits cell division, used in chromosome studies.

Colcemid

A solution that causes cells to swell, aiding chromosome separation during analysis.

Hypotonic Solution

A set of principles governing the inheritance of traits as proposed by Mendel.

Mendel's Postulates

A method for predicting the genotypic makeup of offspring in genetic crosses.

Punnett's Principle

The specific number of chromosomes characteristic of a species.

Chromosome Number

Non-sex chromosomes that are the same in both males and females.

Autosomes

The chromosomes that determine the biological sex of an individual.

Sex Chromosomes

A condition where an individual has cells with different genetic makeup.

Mosaicism

The process of turning genes on or off, influencing their expression.

Gene Regulation

A disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's DNA.

Genetic Disorder

An observable characteristic or feature of an organism that is expressed through the phenotype.

Phenotypic Trait

The transmission of genetic traits through the mother's genome.

Maternal Inheritance

The transmission of genetic traits through the father's genome.

Paternal Inheritance

Any change in chromosome structure or number that may lead to genetic disorders.

Chromosomal Abnormality

The study of chromosomes and their role in genetics.

Cytogenetics

Examination of chromosomal structure to detect genetic disorders.

Karyotype Analysis

The fundamental unit of DNA packaging, consisting of a segment of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Nucleosome

Variability in the distribution of characteristics across different parts of an organism.

Mosaic Pattern

An individual who carries one copy of a recessive allele but does not express the trait.

Carrier

A structure involved in cell division that helps in the formation of spindle fibers.

Centriole

The protein structure on the chromosome where spindle fibers attach during cell division.

Kinetochore

A representation of the arrangement of genes on a chromosome.

Genetic Map

The study of inheritance of traits that are influenced by multiple genes.

Quantitative Genetics

A distinct heritable feature or characteristic of an organism.

Character

A protein that controls the rate of transcription of genetic information.

Transcription Factor