Topics 5 and 6 Regents Review

Vocabulary flashcards for Regents Review Basic Genetics & Inheritance

Traits

Characteristics or features of an organism, such as eye color or height.

Genetics

The study of heredity and how traits are passed from parents to offspring.

Gametes

Sex cells (sperm and egg) that carry half the number of chromosomes.

Fertilization

The joining of a sperm and egg cell to form a zygote.

Zygote

A fertilized egg cell with a complete set of chromosomes.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from a male plant part to a female part, leading to fertilization in plants.

Hybrid

An organism with two different alleles for a trait (heterozygous).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a trait (e.g., Tt).

Pure

An organism that is homozygous for a trait.

Homozygous

Having two of the same allele for a trait (e.g., TT or tt).

Allele

A version of a gene (e.g., dominant or recessive).

Dominant

An allele that shows its trait even if only one copy is present.

Recessive

An allele that only shows when two copies are present.

Phenotype

The physical appearance or traits of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup (allele combination) of an organism.

Punnett Square

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross.

Selective Breeding

Choosing parent organisms with desirable traits to produce offspring.

Inbreeding

Breeding between closely related individuals; increases risk of genetic disorders.

Pure Genetic Line

Organisms that are homozygous for desired traits after many generations of inbreeding.

Test Cross

A cross between an individual with an unknown genotype and a homozygous recessive individual.

Genetic Engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism’s DNA.

Biotechnology

The use of living organisms or their products to improve life.

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism)

An organism whose DNA has been altered using biotechnology.

GMF (Genetically Modified Food)

Food derived from genetically modified organisms.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that is formed by combining genes from different organisms.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that contains genes from another species.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Vectors

Carriers (like viruses or plasmids) used to transfer DNA into a cell.

Plasmid

A small circular piece of DNA in bacteria used in genetic engineering.

Clones

Genetically identical organisms produced from a single cell.

Surrogate Mother

A female who carries and gives birth to an embryo created from another organism’s DNA.

Paternity

The identity or origin of the biological father.

Maternity

The identity or origin of the biological mother.