Inheritance Flashcards
What is a Genome?
complete set of chromosomes of an organism. usually a copy of each cell
What is an allele?
A variant nucleotide sequence for a particular gene at a given locus which codes for a different phenotype, same gene - different types
What is the locus?
specific location of a gene on a chromosome
What is a gene?
sequence of DNA which codes for a protein
What is a genotype?
All the alleles an individual has
What does homozygous mean?
both alleles are the same for a particular gene from both parents
What does heterozygous mean?
different alleles for a particular gene from each parent
what is a phenotype?
visible characteristics, gene/allele that codes for the outward expression of a genotype in a specific environment
what does dominant mean (genetics)?
allele always expressed when present
What does recessive mean (genetics)?
allele only expressed when homozygous, not expressed in presence of dominant allele
What are the properties of continuous variation?
Is a measurement, has a scale
What are the properties of discontinuous variation?
is categorical
What are some examples of continuous variation?
height, weight etc.
What are some examples of discontinuous variation?
Hair colour, blood type etc.
How can continuous variation be represented?
on a line graph
How can discontinuous variation be represented?
Bar graph
What is continuous variation controlled by?
lots of genes and environment - range of phenotypes between 2 extremes, like height in humans
what is discontinuous variation controlled by?
a few genes - limited number of phenotypes with no intermediates. like A, B, AB, O blood groups in humans
If both parents are heterozygous for brown eyes (Bb) what would the offspring look like?
25% homozygous brown (BB), 50% heterozygous brown (Bb). 25% homozygous blue (bb)
How could you check to see if an organism is heterozygous or homozygous for a dominant characteristic?
test cross/ back cross
What is test crossing? + results?
crossing of an unknown individual representing dominant trait with individual representing recessive phenotype. If any of the offspring express the recessive trait then the dominant parent must be a heterozygous dominant allele.
What is co-dominance?
in heterozygous - some cells express dominant allele other cells express recessive allele e.g. holstein friesian cattle (black and white patched cows)
What is incomplete dominance?
in heterozygous - intermediate between the recessive and dominant allele e.g. Palamino horses (linked with chestnut (brown) and cremello (white) horses)
What is monohybrid inheritance?
the inheritance of the alleles of a single gene, 2 different alleles, dominant one represents characteristic