Genetics And Evolution Vocabulary

Question 1

Geneticz

Answer 1

Scientific study of heredity

Question 2

Gametes

Answer 2

Reproductive cells (sperm and egg) that carry half the genetic information.

Question 3

Parental generation

Answer 3

The original pair of organisms crossed in a genetic experiment.

Question 4

Hybrid

Answer 4

The offspring of crosses between parents with different traits

Question 5

Allele

Answer 5

Different versions of a gene.

Question 6

Law of segregation

Answer 6

States that each organism has two alleles for each gene, and they separate during gamete formation.

Question 7

Law of independent assortment

Answer 7

States that genes for different traits can separate independently during the formation of gametes.

Question 8

Punnett square

Answer 8

chart used to predict genetic outcomes of a cross.

Question 9

Complete dominance

Answer 9

relationship where one allele completely masks the effect of another.

Question 10

Test cross

Answer 10

A cross between an individual with an unknown genotype and one that is homozygous recessive.

Question 11

Multiple allele trait

Answer 11

A trait controlled by more than two alleles.

Question 12

Codominance

Answer 12

A condition where both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype.

Question 13

Gene linkage

Answer 13

Genes located close together on the same chromosome that tend to be inherited together.

Question 14

Bombay phenotype

Answer 14

A rare genetic trait that masks the expression of ABO blood group alleles.

Question 15

Polyploidy

Answer 15

A condition where an organism has more than two complete sets of chromosomes.

Question 16

Pedigree chart

Answer 16

A diagram showing family relationships and inheritance of traits.

Question 17

Genome

Answer 17

The complete set of genes or genetic material in an organism.

Question 18

Cancer genome atlas

Answer 18

A project that maps genetic changes in different types of cancer.

Question 19

Restriction enzymes

Answer 19

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Question 20

Recombinant DNA

Answer 20

DNA formed by combining genes from different sources.

Question 21

Phage introduction

Answer 21

Using viruses to insert genetic material into bacteria.

Question 22

Transgenic

Answer 22

An organism that contains genes from another species.

Question 23

Cloning

Answer 23

Making an exact genetic copy of an organism or cell.

Question 24

Reproductive cloning

Answer 24

Creating a new organism genetically identical to the donor.

Question 25

Totipotent

Answer 25

A cell that can develop into any type of cell in the body.

Question 26

Forensics

Answer 26

The use of scientific methods to solve crimes.

Question 27

DNA fingerprint

Answer 27

A unique pattern of DNA used to identify individuals.

Question 28

Evolution

Answer 28

The change in the inherited traits of a population over generations.

Question 29

Variation

Answer 29

Differences in traits among individuals of a species.

Question 30

Adaptation

Answer 30

A trait that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its environment.

Question 31

Fitness

Answer 31

An organism’s ability to survive and produce offspring in its environment.

Question 32

Species

Answer 32

– A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Question 33

Gene pool

Answer 33

All the genes, including different alleles, in a population.

Question 34

Reproductive isolation

Answer 34

When populations can no longer breed with each other.

Question 35

Harvey weinberg principle

Answer 35

States that allele frequencies stay constant unless factors change them

Question 36

Speciation

Answer 36

The formation of new species from a common ancestor.

Question 37

Extinction

Answer 37

The permanent loss of all members of a species.

Question 38

Coevolution

Answer 38

When two species evolve in response to each other.

Question 39

Adaptive radiation

Answer 39

One species evolves into many different forms to fit various environments.

Question 40

Convergent evolution

Answer 40

When unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environments.