Genetics and Inheritance Patterns

These flashcards cover key concepts related to genetics and inheritance patterns, including terms related to alleles, phenotypes, and specific genetic conditions.

Homozygous

An individual with two identical alleles for a specific gene.

Heterozygous

An individual with two different alleles for a specific gene.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an individual.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an individual, represented by alleles.

Dominant Allele

An allele that expresses its trait even when paired with a recessive allele.

Recessive Allele

An allele that only expresses its trait when paired with another recessive allele.

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic situation in which one allele does not completely dominate another, resulting in a third phenotype.

Codominance

A genetic situation where both alleles in a heterozygous individual are fully expressed, resulting in a phenotype that is a combination of both.

Polygenic Inheritance

A genetic scenario in which multiple genes influence a single trait.

Melanin

A pigment responsible for the color of skin, hair, and eyes.

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

A genetic disorder resulting from the production of abnormal hemoglobin, causing distorted (sickle-shaped) red blood cells.

Sickle Cell Trait (SCT)

A condition in which an individual has one normal hemoglobin allele and one sickle hemoglobin allele, usually asymptomatic.