Genetics Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key genetics terms from the lecture notes.

Genome

The total genetic information of a cell or organism.

Gene

A sequence of DNA that codes for a product; the physical and functional unit of heredity.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that stores genetic information in cells and serves as a template for transcription.

Transcription

The process of copying a DNA sequence into RNA.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; the nucleic acid that participates in protein synthesis and gene regulation.

Translation

The process of synthesizing a protein from an mRNA template.

Protein

A functional molecule made of amino acids; the final product of gene expression.

Coding RNA (mRNA)

Messenger RNA that carries the code from DNA to the ribosome to make a protein.

Noncoding RNA

RNA that does not code for a protein but has regulatory or structural roles.

Genotype

The specific versions (alleles) of genes that an individual carries.

Phenotype

The observable traits or characteristics of an organism.

Character

An attribute or feature possessed by an organism (e.g., flower color).

Trait

Forms of a character (e.g., purple flowers).

Gene Expression

The process by which information in a gene is used to synthesize a functional product.

Mutation

Permanent changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that may be passed to offspring (heritable).

Allele

Different versions of a gene that exist at the same locus.

Locus

The specific location of a gene on a chromosome.

Pair of homologous chromosomes

Two chromosomes in a pair that carry the same genes in the same order, one from each parent.

Dominant allele

An allele whose effect is observed in the phenotype when present in a genotype, often masking other alleles.

Recessive allele

An allele whose phenotype is observed only when two copies are present (homozygous recessive).

Homozygous dominant

Genotype with two dominant alleles (e.g., PP).

Homozygous recessive

Genotype with two recessive alleles (e.g., pp).

Heterozygous

Genotype with one dominant and one recessive allele (e.g., Pp).

Not all alleles affect phenotype equally

Not all alleles have the same impact on phenotype; dominance relationships influence trait expression.