Unit 5: Hereditary (copy)

Diploid cell

A cell that has two sets of chromosomes, symbolized as '2n'.

Haploid cell

A cell that has only one set of chromosomes, symbolized as 'n'.

Gametes

Sex cells that are haploid and combine with another gamete to form a diploid cell.

Locus

The position of a gene on a chromosome.

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a given trait.

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a given trait.

Phenotype

The physical appearance of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, including its alleles.

Law of Dominance

One trait masks the effects of another trait.

Law of Segregation

Each gamete gets only one copy of each gene.

Law of Independent Assortment

Each pair of homologous chromosomes segregates independently during gamete formation.

Monohybrid cross

A genetic cross that studies one trait.

Dihybrid cross

A genetic cross that studies two traits simultaneously.

Barr bodies

Inactive X chromosomes in females that are condensed and visible.

Incomplete dominance

A genetic scenario where traits blend, such as pink flowers from red and white parents.

Codominance

A situation in which both alleles are expressed equally, such as AB blood type.

Pedigree

A chart used to study genetic inheritance within a family.

Nondisjunction

An error in meiosis where chromosomes fail to separate properly, causing an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Spermatogenesis

The process of meiosis that produces sperm cells.

Oogenesis

The process of meiosis that produces egg cells.

Aneuploidy

The presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell.

Recombinant

Offspring formed from recombination events during meiosis.

Alleles

Different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus.

Zygote

The diploid cell produced from the fusion of two gametes.