Unit 5 Genetics, Heredity and Reproduction Part 2

Terms in this set (16)

Allele
one of the alternative forms of a gene that governs a characteristic, such as hair color
Gene
one set of instructions for an inherited trait
Chromosome
a threadlike linear strand of DNA and associated proteins in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells that carries the genes and functions in the transmission of hereditary information
DNA
a nucleic acid that carries the genetic information in the cell and is capable of self-replication and synthesis of RNA
Geneotype
the genetic makeup of an organism; also the combination of genes for one or more specific traits
Heredity
the genetic transmission of characteristics from parent to offspring
Heterozygous
having different alleles
Homozygous
having two of the same
Inheritance
the passing of traits from parents to offspring
Phenotype
the observable physical (or biochemical) characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences
Probability
measures the likelihood that something specific will occur
Punnett Square
a diagram that is used to predict an outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment
trait
a genetically determined characteristic or condition
selective breeding
the human practice of breeding animals or plants to have certain desired traits
sex chromosomes
either of a pair of chromosomes, usually designated X or Y, that combine to determine the sex and sex-linked characteristics of an individual, with XX resulting in a female and XY in a male in mammals
homologous chromosome
chromosomes that have the same sequence of genes and the same structure
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