Meiosis

Gametes

the male and female sex cells

Meiosis

The process of making gametes, a reduction division of one cell into 4 sex cells

Alleles

different versions of a gene (the different protein instructions a gene can have)

Independent assortment

The allele a gamete receives for one gene does not affect the allele received for another gene.

Law of segregation

During meiosis each gamete receives just one gene copy, which is selected randomly

Crossing over

The exchange of genes between homologous chromosomes

Homologous chromosomes

Chromosome pairs (1 from each parent) that have the same genes, but the genes may contain different alleles.

Fertilization

process in sexual reproduction in which male and female reproductive cells join to form a new cell

Trait

specific characteristic of an individual

Genetic Variation

differences between the genes of individuals or differences between the genes found in a population.

Diploid

Having a full set of chromosomes

Haploid

Having no homologous pairs (half the chromosome number)