Genetic definitions

• DNA

  Found in the nucleus of cells and contains coded genetic information
• Chromosome

  A long strand of DNA which contains many genes. It is found in the nucleus of cells.
• Gene

  A section of DNA on chromosomes that contains information about the characteristics of an organism (it is a unit of inheritance)
• Mitosis

  A type of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells with the same number of chromosomes as the parent cell. Used in growth, repair and maintenance of body cells
• Mutation

  A change in gene caused by a mistake in the genetic code
• Replication

  The process of creating an exact copy of DNA
• Punnet Square

  A diagram that is used to predict an outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment
• Pedigree

  A method of describing how characteristics are inherited over several generations, using a set of standard symbols
• Offspring

  The organism resulting from reproduction
• Inheritance

  Traits genetically passed down from parents to offspring
• Trait

  Distinguishing characteristic or quality
• Allele

  Different forms of the same gene
• Genotype

  Describes genetic makeup of an organism (combination of alleles, e.g. bb, BB, Bb. The capital letters show dominating gene.)
• Phenotype

  Describes characteristic that can be observed from expression of dominant or recessive genotype, e.g blue/brown eyes.