Unit 5 Vocabulary

Trait

a characteristic or feature

Variation

the differences within a trait

Protein

a type of molecule in our food that our bodies need to function

Pedigree

an organized representation (model) of biological relationships

Phenotype

the way an individual looks for a specific trait

Genotype

the combination of alleles for a certain gene (genetic makeup)

Homozygous

having two of the same allele for a gene (ff)

Heterozygous

having different alleles for a gene (Ff)

Chromosome

a feature of most cells that is copied when new cells are made that are passed from parent to offspring

Nucleus

where the chromosomes are located inside the cell

Gene

a certain region of the chromosome

Allele

different versions of a gene

Mutation

a small change that happens to the structure of a chromosome that can be passed to future offspring

Genetic Information

the instructions stored in genes for making specific proteins

Asexual Reproduction

reproduction with only one parent; identical genetic information

DNA

the primary molecule carrying the genetic instructions that living organisms need to develop, function, and reproduce

Biomass

the total mass or weight of living, or recently living, organic matter within a given area or ecosystem