Genetics Vocabulary

Flashcards relating to genetics terms and key scientists

Allele

one of two or more versions of a gene

Homozygous/Homozygouse

homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene, while heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for the same gene

Dominant/recessive

dominant gene in pair overrides recessive gene Ex. hair color, hearing, dimples, vision

Co-dominance

A pattern of inheritance in which both alleles for a gene are fully expressed

Mendel's laws of genetics

law of dominance, law of segregation, law of independent assortment

Test Cross

breeding that can be used to determine an organism's genotype

Pedigrees

a chart that shows a trait in a family and how it is inherited

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disorder that is present at birth and affects both the respiratory and digestive systems.

Huntingtons's disease

a genetic disorder that causes nerve degeneration with symptoms that most often appear in midlife

Blood Types

A, B, AB, O

Sex-linked genes

Genes located on the sex chromosomes.

Patterns of Inheritances

Description of how traits are passed on from parents to offspring

Multiple allele traits

traits controlled by a single gene with more than two alleles

Polygenic inheritance

occurs when multiple genes determine the phenotype of a trait

Chromosome theory of inheritance

A basic principle in biology stating that genes are located on chromosomes and that the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis accounts for inheritance patterns.

Genetic testing

The use of methods to determine if someone has a genetic disorder, will develop one, or is a carrier

Hemophilia

An X-linked recessive disorder in which blood fails to clot properly, leading to excessive bleeding if injured.

Red-green color blindness

A common, recessive sex-linked genetic trait.

Law of Independent Assortment

the law that states that genes separate independently of one another in meiosis

Law of Independent Segregation

allele pairs segregate from each other during the production of gametes

Dominant

a trait that is expressed even when only one copy is present

Recessive

a trait only expressed when 2 copies are present

Genetics

The science of heredity

Genotype

an organism's allele pairs

Heredity

the passing on of traits to the next generation

Heterozygous

an organism with 2 different alleles for a trait

Homozygous

an organism with 2 of the same alleles for a trait

Hybrid

offspring resulting from the breeding of 2 different species

Phenotype

observable characteristics that are expressed as a result of an allele pair

Probability

a measurement tool that helps predict the chance of an event occurring

Punnett square

a diagram used in genetics to predict the outcome of a particular cross or breeding combination

Purebred

an organism whose ancestors are all of the same variety

Gene

a segment of DNA that determines a particular trait

Trait

a specific characteristic or feature of an organism

Other terms for 'true breeding'

homozygous, pure bred

Gregor Mendel

Augustinian monk and botanist whose experiments in breeding garden peas led to his eventual recognition as founder of the science of genetics

Why Mendel use peas for his experiments

they were easy to grow, had a short life cycle, and produced many offspring

P/F1/F2 generations

parent, child, child's child

Human Genome Project/gene therapy

The objectives for this ambitious effort included determining the complete sequence of human DNA and identifying all human genes