Trait
A distinguishing quality/characteristic typically one belonging to a person passed from one generation to the next.
Variation
Modified form of an original, different.
Phenotype
The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Genotype
The genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Allele
Different forms of a gene
Dominant trait
Allele always expressed in the phenotype
Recessive trait
Allele only expressed in the phenotype when homozygous
Population
group of individuals of the same species that live in the same area
Mutation
Change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid
Gene
A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific protein
Chromosomes
Threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes
Varieties
Different types of the same thing
Species
A group of similar organisms that can breed and produce fertile offspring.
Inheritance
The process in which genetic material is passed from parents to their offspring.
Sex-linked trait
A trait associated with a gene that is carried only by the male or female parent.
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for a particular gene
Heterozygous
having two different alleles for a particular gene
Punnett square
A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross
Pedigree chart
A chart which shows several generations of related families and how traits are passed down through the offspring.
Karyotype
A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape