Genetics & Hereditary Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is heredity?
The passing of traits from parents to offspring.
What molecule carries genetic information?
DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid).
What is a gene?
A section of DNA that codes for a trait.
What are chromosomes?
Long strands of DNA that carry many genes.
How many chromosomes do humans have?
46 (23 pairs).
What is an allele?
A different version of a gene.
What is the difference between dominant and recessive traits?
Dominant traits show up if present; recessive traits only show if both alleles are recessive.
What does “genotype” mean?
The genetic makeup (example: Bb or bb).
What does “phenotype” mean?
The physical trait shown (example: brown eyes).
What is a Punnett square used for?
To predict the probability of offspring traits.
What is a mutation?
A change in the DNA sequence; it can be helpful, harmful, or neutral.
What is selective breeding?
Choosing specific organisms to reproduce for desired traits.
