Gregor Mendel and Genetics

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminologies related to Gregor Mendel's work and the foundational principles of genetics.

Gregor Mendel

Known as the 'Father of Genetics', he conducted experiments in the 19th century that laid the foundation for the study of heredity.

Fertilization

The process in which an egg and sperm unite to form a zygote.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part.

Self-Pollination

When a plant's egg and sperm come from the same flower, creating true-breeding offspring.

Cross-Pollination

When egg and sperm come from different plants, resulting in hybrid offspring.

Trait

A specific characteristic of an individual, such as seed color or plant height.

Gene

A DNA sequence that determines an individual's traits.

Alleles

Different versions of a gene, such as yellow or green seeds.

Homozygous

An individual that has two identical alleles for a gene.

Heterozygous

An individual that has two different alleles for a gene.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Phenotype

The physical traits of an organism.

Law of Dominance

States that one allele can mask the expression of another allele.

Law of Segregation

States that two alleles for a trait separate into different gametes during reproduction.

Law of Independent Assortment

States that alleles of different genes separate independently during gamete formation.

Incomplete Dominance

A form of inheritance where one allele is not completely dominant over the other, resulting in a blended phenotype.

Codominance

A form of inheritance where both alleles are fully expressed in heterozygotes.

Multiple Alleles

The existence of three or more alleles for a single trait.

Polygenic Inheritance

When multiple genes influence a single trait, resulting in a range of phenotypes.

Environmental Influence

The impact of environmental factors on gene expression and phenotype.

Dihybrid Cross

A cross that examines the inheritance of two traits.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid daughter cells.

Crossing Over

The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which contribute to diversity in populations.