Module 5 - Heredity: Word Banks

Zygote

A zygote is the very first cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg.

Embryo

the early developmental stage of a multicellular organism.

Reproduction

the process of producing offspring

Fertilisation

Fusing of a male gamete with a female gamete.

Pollination

The transfer of pollen from male reproductive structures to female reproductive structures in plants

Fission

a form of asexual reproduction where a parent organism or cell duplicates its genetic material and divides into two or more distinct, independent parts.

Chromosomes

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Polymorphism

region of repeating DNA within an intron that is highly variable from person to person

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits. Expression.

Homologous chromosomes

term used to refer to chromosomes that each have a corresponding chromosome from the opposite-sex parent

Gamete

specialized cell involved in sexual reproduction

Haploid

a cell or organism that contains a single set of unpaired chromosomes. n

Diploid

A diploid cell or organism has two complete sets of chromosomes, with one set inherited from each biological parent. 2n

Implantation

The process by which the zygote attaches to the uterine wall

Meiosis

a specialized type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, producing four genetically diverse haploid gametes (sperm and egg cells).

Pedigree

A chart or "family tree" that tracks which members of a family have a particular trait

Homozygous

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait. BB

Heterozygous

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait. Bb

Nucleotides

Basic units of DNA molecule, composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and one of 4 DNA bases

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations. Genes.

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