Inheritance chapter 17 bio

Chromosome

A structure made of DNA that contains genetic information.

Gene

A length of DNA that codes for a protein.

Allele

An alternative form of a gene.

Haploid nucleus

A nucleus containing a single set of unpaired chromosomes, such as in sperm and egg cells.

Diploid nucleus

A nucleus containing two sets of chromosomes, typical in body cells.

mRNA

Messenger RNA that carries the genetic code from DNA for protein synthesis.

Transcription

The process of rewriting the base code of DNA into bases of mRNA.

Translation

The process of using the mRNA base sequence to build amino acids into a sequence in a protein.

Mitosis

The nuclear division that results in genetically identical cells.

Meiosis

Reduction division that halves the chromosome number from diploid to haploid.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by its alleles (e.g., Tt or GG).

Phenotype

The observable features or traits of an organism (e.g., tall plant or green seed).

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., TT or gg).

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Tt or Gg).

Dominant allele

An allele that is expressed if present (e.g., T or G).

Recessive allele

An allele that is only expressed when no dominant allele is present (e.g., t or g).

Pedigree Diagram

A diagram tracing the inheritance pattern of a specific characteristic through generations.

Punnett square

A genetic diagram used to predict possible combinations of alleles in offspring.

Codominance

A genetic condition where two alleles are equally dominant, both expressed in the phenotype.

X-linked recessive trait

A characteristic linked to a gene located on the X chromosome, often more common in males.