Ch_5_Lecture on Inheritance part 2

Heredity

The transmission of traits from one generation to the next.

Genetics

The study of heredity.

Gregor Mendel

The first scientist to deduce the basic principles of inheritance.

Phenotype

An individual's observable traits.

Genotype

The alleles that an individual carries on its chromosomes.

Alleles

The individual units of inheritance; alternate forms of a particular gene.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., BB or bb).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Bb).

Dominant allele

The allele that determines appearance in heterozygous conditions.

Recessive allele

The allele that is only expressed in the homozygous condition.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross that focuses on one characteristic.

Punnett Square

A grid used to predict the offspring from a genetic cross.

Incomplete dominance

A form of inheritance where the phenotype is intermediate between the two parents.

Codominance

A form of inheritance where both alleles are expressed separately in heterozygous individuals.

Polygenic inheritance

The effect of many genes on a single phenotypic character.

Sex-linked traits

Traits carried on sex chromosomes, which can affect inheritance patterns.

Epigenetics

The study of environmental effects on gene expression.

Carrier

A heterozygous individual who does not express a recessive trait but can pass it on to offspring.

Genetic disorder

A disease caused by abnormalities in an individual's DNA.

Transgenerational effects

Environmental factors affecting the genes of parents can be passed on to future generations.

Mendelian inheritance

Genetic inheritance patterns defined by Gregor Mendel's principles.

Dimeric inheritance

Where two different alleles express both traits in offspring.