Genetic Variation Flashcards
Gene
A unit of heredity which is transferred from a parent to offspring and is held to determine some characteristic of the offspring
Allele
Each of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
Mutation
The changing of the structure of a gene, resulting in a variant form that may be transmitted to subsequent generations
Genotype
The genotype of an organism is its complete set of genetic material. However, the term is often used to refer to a single gene or set of genes, such as the genotype for eye color.
Phenotype
In genetics, the phenotype is the set of observable characteristics or traits of an organism, its behavior, and the products of behavior.
Gamete
A mature haploid male or female germ cell which is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.
Zygote
A diploid cell resulting from the fusion of two haploid gametes; a fertilized ovum.
Dominant
Refers to a trait that appears more frequently than another trait, resulting from interactions between gene alleles.
Reccesive
Refers to a trait that is expressed only when genotype is homozygous; a trait that tends to be masked by other inherited traits, yet persists in a population among heterozygous genotypes.
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles of a particular gene or genes
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles of a particular gene or genes
Pure Breeding
A group of identical individuals that always produce offspring of the same phenotype when intercrossed.
Punnett Square
The Punnett square is a square diagram that is used to predict the genotypes of a particular cross or breeding experiment
Pedigree Chart
A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next, most commonly humans, show dogs, and race horses
