GENETIC VOCABULARY

TRAIT

DOMINANT TRAIT

• a genetic trait passed from parent to child that is more likely to be expressed

CHROMOSOMES

• a tightly wound bundle of DNA and proteins found in the nucleus of most living cells

HEREDITY

• the passing of traits from parent to offspring

GENE

• the basic unit of heredity in a living organism; a segment of DNA or RNA

RECESSIVE TRAIT

• a trait that can be carried in a persons genes without appearing in the person.

ALLELE

• one member of a pair or series of genes on specific chromosomes in specific position

PUNNET SQUARE

• a chart used to determine the possible genetic outcomes for offspring of a given cross

PHENOTYPE

• the observable traits of an organism passed on from parent to offspring

GENOTYPE

• the observable traits of an organism passed on from parent to offspring

HOMOZYGOUS

• There's a pair of matching alleles.

HETEROZYGOUS

• having different pairs of genes for any given pair of hereditary characteristics

DNA

• found in the nucleus of a cell, a long nucleic acid molecule containing the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of all living organisms; abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid

PROKARYOTE

• a microscopic single-celled organism that has neither a distinct nucleus with a membrane nor other specialized organelles.

EUKARYOTE

• an organism consisting of a cell or cells in which the genetic material is DNA in the form of chromosomes contained within a distinct nucleus.