Genetics Vocab Quiz

variation

Any difference between individuals of the same species.

dominant allele

An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.

recessive allele

An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present

Codominance

A condition in which both alleles for a gene are fully expressed

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

acquired trait

A trait that is not in your genes but is picked up from environmental factors.

inherited trait

A characteristic that is passed from parent to offspring.

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Traits

Characteristics that are inherited

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene

Gene

A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

Punnett Square

A chart that shows all the possible combinations of alleles that can result from a genetic cross

double helix

Shape of DNA

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

offspring

Product of reproduction, a new organism produced by one or more parents

sex-linked traits

Traits controlled by genes located on sex chromosomes.

Autosomal

all the other genes in the body that are not sex-linked.

Carrier

A person who has one recessive allele for a trait, but does not have the trait.

Heredity

Passing of traits from parents to offspring

Probability

A percentage that describes how likely it is that an event will occur

Natural Selection

The process where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as biological catalysts to speed up chemical reactions in living organisms.

Nucleus

The membrane-bound organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the genetic material (DNA) and controls cellular activities.

Karyotype

A display of an individual's chromosomes arranged in pairs, used to assess genetic abnormalities.

Blood types

Categories of blood based on the presence or absence of specific antigens on the surface of red blood cells, primarily including A, B, AB, and O types.

Stamen

The male reproductive organ of a flower, consisting of an anther and a filament, responsible for producing pollen.

Pistil

The female reproductive organ of a flower, composed of the ovary, style, and stigma, responsible for producing seeds.

Genetic Drift

Allele frequencies in a population change due to random sampling of organisms. It can lead to significant changes in small populations over time.

Albinism

A genetic condition characterized by a lack of melanin in the skin, hair, and eyes, leading to lighter pigmentation and increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Selective breeding

The process of intentionally mating organisms with desirable traits to produce offspring that exhibit those traits.

Dihybrid cross

A genetic cross between two individuals that are heterozygous for two traits