Chapter 11 and Chapter 12 Overview

Mendelian Genetics

The study of traits of pea plants across generations, known for controlled mating and visible traits.

Alleles

Versions of a gene found on homologous chromosomes.

Dominant Alleles

Alleles that are expressed and can cover up the effect of recessive alleles.

Recessive Alleles

Alleles that are 'covered up' in the presence of dominant alleles.

Heterozygotes

Organisms with two different alleles (e.g., Aa).

Homozygotes

Organisms with two same alleles (e.g., AA or aa).

Phenotype

The physical appearance of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism (e.g., AA or Aa).

Law of Segregation

The law stating that during gamete formation, two alleles separate into different gametes.

Law of Independent Assortment

The law stating that alleles on different chromosomes segregate independently.

Non-Mendelian Genetics

Genetic patterns that do not follow Mendel's laws, such as multiple alleles.

Codominance

A form of inheritance where two different alleles are both expressed in a heterozygous individual.

Incomplete Dominance

A situation in which the phenotype of a heterozygote is intermediate between the phenotypes of the two homozygotes.

Epistasis

A genetic scenario where a gene at one locus influences the expression of a gene at another locus.

Polygenic Inheritance

A mode of inheritance where multiple genes control a trait.

Environmental Factors

External factors that can influence an organism’s traits, such as soil pH affecting hydrangea color.

Sex-Link Traits

Traits associated with genes located on sex chromosomes, typically X or Y.

Pedigrees

A family tree that illustrates the inheritance of traits over generations.

Transcription

The process of producing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The synthesis of proteins using RNA instructions.

Codons

Three-letter sequences on mRNA that specify individual amino acids.

mRNA (Messenger RNA)

RNA that carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.

tRNA (Transfer RNA)

RNA that brings amino acids to the ribosome during translation.

rRNA (Ribosomal RNA)

RNA that forms the core of the ribosome and catalyzes protein synthesis.

snRNA (Small Nuclear RNA)

RNA involved in mRNA processing and splicing in eukaryotes.

miRNA (MicroRNA)

RNA involved in regulating gene expression and can prevent translation.

Genetic Code

The set of rules that dictates the correspondence between codons and amino acids.

Post-Translational Modifications

Chemical changes to proteins after translation, such as phosphorylation and glycosylation.