1.
allele: one of two alternate forms of a gene that has the same locus on homologous chromosomes and are responsible for alternative versions of the same trait. example: brown hair or blond hair
2.
characteristic: A physical attribute of an organism, such as hair color, height, color pattern, etc.
3.
chromatid: one of two identical "sister" parts of a duplicated chromosome
4.
chromosome: a threadlike body in the cell nucleus that carries the genes in a linear order or sequence of 4 nucleotides
5.
crossing over: the interchange of sections between pairing homologous chromosomes during the prophase of meiosis
6.
diploid: (genetics) an organism or cell having two sets of chromosomes or twice the haploid number
7.
egg: haploid female sex cell produced by meiosis.
Usually larger than a sperm.
8.
gametes: reproductive cells, have only half the number of chromosomes as body cells
9.
gene: sequence of DNA that codes for a protein and thus determines a trait
10.
haploid: term used to refer to a cell that contains only a single set of chromosomes and therefore only a single set of genes
11.
homo-: same
12.
homologous: corresponding or similar in position or structure or function or characteristics (23 pairs)
13.
independent assortment: in meiosis at metaphase I the homologous chromosomes separate at random (assort) into two cells
14.
locus: the specific site of a particular gene on its chromosome
15.
maternal: relating to or derived from one's mother
16.
meiosis: type of cell division that produces four cells, each with half as many chromosomes as the parent cell
17.
paternal: relating to or inherited from one's father
18.
sperm: haploid male sex cells produced by meiosis. Sometimes with a flagellum
19.
synapsis: the side by side pairing of homologous maternal and paternal chromosomes at the start of meiosis
20.
tetrad: the four chromatids in a pair of homologous chromosomes that come together as a result of synapsis during meiosis
21.
trait: specific characteristic that varies from one individual to another that can be passed on in the genes or DNA sequence