Mendel and the Gene Idea

Vocabulary flashcards based on Mendel's genetics concepts.

Gregor Mendel

Austrian monk known as the 'Father of Genetics' who studied the inheritance of traits in pea plants.

Inheritance of Traits

The process by which characteristics are passed from parents to offspring.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross involving the inheritance of a single trait, such as flower color.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross involving the inheritance of two traits, such as seed shape and seed color.

Phenotype

The physical appearance or characteristic of an organism resulting from its genotype.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism, represented by letters (e.g. RR, Rr, rr).

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a specific gene (e.g. RR or rr).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene (e.g. Rr).

Dominant Allele

An allele that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy is present.

Recessive Allele

An allele that is only expressed in the phenotype when two copies are present.

Law of Segregation

During gamete formation, the two alleles for a trait separate from each other.

Law of Independent Assortment

Alleles for different traits are distributed to gametes independently of one another.

Test Cross

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

Incomplete Dominance

A genetic situation where one allele does not completely dominate another, resulting in a new phenotype (e.g., pink flowers from red and white parents).

Codominance

A situation in which both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, leading to offspring with a phenotype that is neither dominant nor recessive (e.g., AB blood type).

Sex-linked Traits

Traits that are controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes, often found on the X chromosome.

Punnett Square

A tool used to predict the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from genetic crosses.