Genetics Vocab

Question 1

Lethal Allele

Answer 1

A gene mutation that leads to the death of an organism, often before birth or reproductive age.

Question 2

Heterogametic Sex

Answer 2

The sex that produces two different types of gametes (e.g., XY in males of mammals).

Question 3

Epistasis

Answer 3

Interaction between genes where one gene masks or modifies the effect of another.

Question 4

Overdominance

Answer 4

A situation where the heterozygote genotype has a fitness advantage over both homozygotes.

Question 5

endosymbiosis theory

Answer 5

Theory suggesting that mitochondria and chloroplasts originated as free-living bacteria engulfed by a host cell.

Question 6

Haplodiploid

Answer 6

A sex determination system where males are haploid and females are diploid (e.g., in bees and ants).

Question 7

Incomplete dominance

Answer 7

A genetic situation where the heterozygote phenotype is intermediate between the two homozygotes.

Question 8

Barr body

Answer 8

The inactivated X chromosome in females, visible as a dense spot in the nucleus.

Question 9

Maternal effect

Answer 9

A genetic phenomenon where the genotype of the mother determines the phenotype of her offspring.

Question 10

Diploid

Answer 10

Cells with two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent.

Question 11

Genetic linkage

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Answer 12

The transfer of genetic material between organisms without sexual reproduction.

Question 13

Map Units

Answer 13

A measurement of genetic linkage; 1 map unit (centimorgan) corresponds to a 1% recombination frequency.

Question 14

Conjugation

Answer 14

A process where genetic material is transferred between bacterial cells via direct contact.

Question 15

Transduction

Answer 15

A process where a virus transfers genetic material between bacteria.

Question 16

Transformation

Answer 16

Uptake of foreign DNA by a cell from its surroundings.

Question 17

Plasmid

Answer 17

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that replicates independently of chromosomal DNA.

Question 18

Bilateral Gynandromorph

Answer 18

An organism that is half male and half female, often due to chromosomal anomalies during development.

Question 19

Short-Interfering RNAs (siRNAs)

Answer 19

Small RNA molecules that silence gene expression by degrading mRNA.

Question 20

Gene Regulation

Answer 20

The process of controlling gene expression levels.

Question 21

Enhancer

Answer 21

A DNA sequence that increases the transcription of a gene when bound by transcription factors.

Question 22

CpG Island

Answer 22

Regions of DNA rich in CpG sites, often associated with gene promoters and regulation.

Question 23

Robertsonian Translocation

Answer 23

A chromosomal rearrangement where two acrocentric chromosomes fuse at the centromere.

Question 24

Vector

Answer 24

A vehicle used to transfer genetic material into a cell, such as a plasmid or virus.

Question 25

Transposase

Answer 25

An enzyme that facilitates the movement of transposable elements within a genome.

Question 26

Taq Polymerase

Answer 26

A heat-stable DNA polymerase used in PCR to amplify DNA.

Question 27

Primer

Answer 27

A short DNA or RNA sequence used to initiate DNA synthesis

Question 28

Gene Cloning

Answer 28

The process of making multiple identical copies of a gene or DNA fragment.

Question 29

DNA Sequencing

Answer 29

Determining the precise sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

Question 30

Transposable Element

Answer 30

A DNA sequence that can change its position within the genome.

Question 31

RFLP Map

Answer 31

A map of DNA variations based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms.

Question 32

Sex-linked Gene

Answer 32

A gene located on a sex chromosome, often resulting in sex-specific inheritance patterns.

Question 33

Pleiotropy

Answer 33

A single gene influencing multiple traits.

Question 34

Polygenic Threshold

Answer 34

A model where a trait is influenced by multiple genes, with expression triggered when a certain threshold is crossed.

Question 35

Splicing Factors

Answer 35

Proteins involved in removing introns and joining exons during RNA splicing.

Question 36

Operator

Answer 36

A DNA region where a repressor binds to inhibit gene transcription.

Question 37

Biotechnology

Answer 37

The use of living organisms or their products to benefit humans.

Question 38

Gene Conversion

Answer 38

A non-reciprocal transfer of genetic material during homologous recombination.

Question 39

Germ Cells

Answer 39

Reproductive cells (e.g., sperm and egg) that give rise to gametes.

Question 40

Homozygous

Answer 40

you inherited the same version of that gene from both your mother and father.

Question 41

heterozygous

Answer 41

you inherited two different versions of the gene, one from your mother and one from your father.

Question 42

product rule

Answer 42

2 individual events happening

Question 43

Sum rule

Answer 43

the probability of either of the 2 events happening