U5 Hereditary

Autosomal

referring to chromosomes that are not sex chromosomes. Autosomal traits are those determined by genes located on autosomes.

Codominance

a genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are expressed equally, resulting in a phenotype that shows both traits.

Crossing over

the process during meiosis where homologous chromosomes exchange genetic material, leading to genetic diversity in gametes.

Diploid (2n)

A cell or organism that contains two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent, typically seen in somatic cells.

Epistasis

a genetic interaction where one gene masks or suppresses the expression of another gene, influencing the trait's phenotype.

Haploid

(n) A cell or organism that contains only one complete set of chromosomes, usually found in gametes such as sperm and eggs.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene, resulting in a varied genotype.

Incomplete dominance

a genetic scenario where the phenotype of heterozygous individuals is an intermediate of the phenotypes of the homozygous parents.

Independent assortment

The principle that alleles for different traits segregate independently of one another during gamete formation, leading to genetic variation.

Karyotype

A visual representation of an individual's complete set of chromosomes, organized by size and shape, used to identify chromosomal abnormalities.

Locus

the specific physical location of a gene on a chromosome.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four genetically diverse gametes.

Monohybrid Cross

A genetic cross between two organisms that differ in only one trait, used to study inheritance patterns.

Multiple alleles

are three or more alternative forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus on a chromosome, allowing for a variety of phenotypes.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during meiosis or mitosis, leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes in daughter cells.