Genetics and Heredity

protein, gene, chromosomes, DNA, nucleus

Cell components are involved in determining traits

46, or 23 pairs

The number chromosomes are present in the human cell nucleus

cell

The basic building blocks of all living things

nucleus

A part of the cell containing DNA and RNA and responsible for growth and reproduction

chromosome

A single, highly organized and thread-like structured piece of DNA

DNA

Carries all the genetic instructions for living organisms

gene

The basic physical and functional unit of heredity made up of DNA

heredity

The transfer of traits from one generation to another generation

inherited traits

Characteristics or features of one organism that are passed from parent to offspring

acquired traits

Learned traits that are not genetically passed down to offspring, but caused by the organisms environment.

eye/hair color, hair texture, face shape

Inherited traits for animals

Recessive Trait/Allele

A trait/allele that is hidden whenever the dominant trait/ allele is present

dominant trait/allele

A trait/allele always expressed shown as a capital letter

Gregor Mendel

Augustinian monk and botanist whose experiments in breeding garden peas led to his eventual recognition as founder of the science of genetics (1822-1884)

Punnett Square

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

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

Heterozygous

having two different alleles for a trait

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait. Can be homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive

Genetics

the study of heredity

purebreed

Having two of the same genes for a trait; another word for homozygous

Hybrid

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait; another word for heterozygous

codominance

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

incomplete dominance

A pattern of inheritance in which two alleles, inherited from the parents, are neither dominant nor recessive. The resulting offspring have a phenotype that is a blending of the parental traits.

protein

A biomolecule that is made of one or more chains of amino acids and found in all living cells that perform bodily functions.

allele

Different forms of a gene (ex. gene for hair color can have three alleles- brown, red, blond)

mutation

change in a DNA sequence that affects genetic information