BIO102/103 Laboratory: Investigating Genetic Inheritance

These flashcards cover key concepts in genetic inheritance and statistical analysis relevant to the laboratory exercises outlined in the lecture notes.

Chi-Square Test

A statistical method used to analyze categorical data to determine if there is a significant difference between expected and observed frequencies.

Null Hypothesis

The assumption that there is no significant difference between the observed data and the expected distribution.

Alternative Hypothesis

The assumption that there is a significant difference between the observed data and the expected distribution.

Degrees of Freedom (df)

The number of independent values that can vary in the analysis, typically calculated as the number of categories minus one.

Pearson's Chi-Square Test Statistic (X2)

A value calculated from the chi-square formula that helps determine the difference between observed and expected frequencies.

Significance Level (p-value)

The probability of obtaining at least as extreme results as the observed data, used to determine whether to reject the null hypothesis.

Phenotypic Analysis

The study of observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of gene expression and the environment.

Categorical Data

Data that can be classified into categories, such as sex, race, or types of food preference.

Goodness-of-Fit Test

A chi-square test used to determine if there is a significant difference between the expected and observed data in categorical data.

Observed Values

The actual counts or measurements collected during an experiment.

Expected Values

The predicted counts or measurements based on a specified hypothesis.

Chi-square Probability Table

A table used to determine critical values for the chi-square statistic, which helps in assessing significance.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross between individuals that differ in one trait.

Dihybrid Cross

A genetic cross between individuals that differ in two traits.

Sex-linked Traits

Traits that are associated with genes located on sex chromosomes.

Independent Variables

Factors in an experiment that are manipulated to observe their effect on dependent variables.