Genetics Vocabulary

Genetics Vocabulary

trait • A physical characteristic passed from parents to offspring

inherit • To get a trait from your parents

Definition The passing of traits from parent to offspring across generations Ex. I have my Dad’s nose. Picture What is Heredity?

offspring • An organism’s baby

gene • Factor that controls traits • A segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait

allele • The different forms of a gene We Inherit one allele from our mother and one allele from our father.

Dominant allele • Dominant means strongest, most important • Dominant allele is the gene that always shows the trait if present

Recessive allele • Recede (v) is to move back. • Recessive (adj) tending to recede • Recessive allele is the one that is overpowered by a dominant gene and only expressed when two recessive genes are present.

purebred • An organism that always produces offspring with the same form. • Organism has the same alleles for a trait • Same as homozygous

hybrid • An organism with two different alleles for a trait. • Same as heterozygous

genotype • An organisms genetic makeup or allele combination • The type of genes

phenotype • An organisms appearance or visible traits. • What you see

Homozygous • Having the same alleles for a trait

heterozygous • Having two different alleles for a trait

Codominance • A condition when neither of two alleles are dominant. • Both alleles act on a trait.

Punnet square • A chart used to predict the possible outcomes of a genetic cross

mutation • Any change in the DNA

Sex-linked characteristics • Traits that are controlled by genes on the X chromosome

Carrier • A person who “carries” the gene for a trait but does not show that trait. • A person with one dominant and one recessive allele for a trait

Pedigree chart • A chart used to show the passing of genes among families.

karyotype • A picture of all the chromosomes in a cell

Genetics Vocabulary