Genetics Vocab

• A trait is a specific characteristic of an individual; can be determined by genes
• A variation is a difference between species/organisms; slight variation
• Protein is a molecule made up of amino acids; found in muscle cells
• Phenotype is an observable trait; physical/outward appearance
• A pedigree is a family tree; diagram of family history
• Sexual reproduction is when one individual (offspring) results from the fusion of sex cells (sperm and egg) from two different parent organisms; results in variation and potential evolution of species
• A chromosome is a part of a cell in the nucleus; it contains genes and DNA fibers
• The nucleus is the control center of eukaryotic cells; contains DNA that is the blueprint for protein production
• A gene is a heredity passed from a parent to a child; contains DNA
• Alleles are an alternative form or variation of a gene
• A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism; has unique DNA sequence; has alleles; ex. MM, mm
• Genetic material is instructions for cell structure and function; passed from parents to offspring
• Homozygous is having two identical alleles
• Heterozygous is having two different alleles (example would be medium muscled cattle)
• A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a cell
• Asexual reproduction occurs in a single parent and no fertilization takes place; genetically identical offspring is produced
• Selective breeding is a process used to develop new organisms with certain characteristics
• Codominance is an inheritance pattern where two alleles are shown equally; neither allele is dominant or recessive. (Red chicken + white chicken --> Red and white chicken)
• Incomplete dominance is when two alleles are partially expressed (ex. red snapdragon + yellow snapdragon --> orange snapdragon)
• Complete dominance is when a dominant allele completely masks the effect of the recessive allele (seen in phenotype; ex. Red rose + white rose --> red rose)