Introduction to Genetics

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to genetics as discussed in the lecture.

Genetics

The study of heredity and the passing down of traits from parent to offspring.

Gregor Mendel

An Augustinian monk known as the father of genetics, who conducted experiments on pea plants to establish principles of inheritance.

Alleles

Pairs of genes that control the same trait, found on homologous chromosomes.

Dominant gene

A gene that masks or hides the effect of a recessive gene; expressed as a capital letter.

Recessive gene

A gene that is masked by a dominant gene; requires two copies to be expressed and is represented by a lowercase letter.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism resulting from the expression of the genotype.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism; the actual alleles inherited.

Homozygous

A term describing a genotype with two identical alleles for a trait.

Heterozygous

A term describing a genotype with two different alleles for a trait.

Gametes

Reproductive cells (egg or sperm) that carry half the genetic information from each parent.

Independent assortment

The principle that alleles of different genes assort independently of one another during gamete formation.

Punnett square

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross by showing all possible combinations of alleles.