Traits & Reproduction Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering genetics, traits, inheritance, and reproduction from the infographic.

Feature

A physical characteristic of an organism (e.g., body color, bristle length, silk flexibility).

Trait

A specific version of a feature (e.g., yellow body color or long bristles).

Variation

Differences in a trait within a population (e.g., different body colors among spiders).

Function

The job a molecule or structure does (e.g., a protein that gives silk flexibility).

Structure

The shape and arrangement of parts of a molecule (e.g., different protein shapes).

Protein Molecule

A large molecule made of amino acids that carries out a job in cells (e.g., a protein that makes silk).

Gene

A section of DNA that contains instructions for making a protein.

Gene Version (Allele)

A different form of the same gene that provides a unique instruction to make a specific protein (e.g., F1 or F2).

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of a gene that can create a new gene version and possibly a new trait.

Heterozygous

Having two different versions of a gene (e.g., T1 and T2), which can result in two types of proteins.

Homozygous

Having two of the same version of a gene (e.g., T1 and T1), which provides instructions for only one type of protein.

Inherit

To receive genes from parents (e.g., getting one copy of a gene from each parent).

Sexual Reproduction

A form of reproduction that combines genes from two parents (male and female) to produce offspring with a new combination of gene versions, which can lead to different traits.