Science- Genes

Genes and stuff

Allele

An allele is a variant form of a gene that arises by mutation and is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome. Alleles can result in different traits or characteristics in an organism.

Female Chromosome

XX

Male Chromosome

XY

Gamete

A gamete is a reproductive cell that fuses with another cell during fertilization in organisms that reproduce sexually. They are haploid cells containing half the number of chromosomes of a normal cell.

Haploid

A cell or organism having only one set of chromosomes, representing half the genetic material. In humans, gametes are haploid cells.

Diploid

A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes, one set from each parent, typically found in somatic cells.

Somatic cell

A type of cell that makes up the body of an organism and is not involved in reproduction. Somatic cells are diploid and undergo mitosis for growth and repair.