Science vocab #2 Flashcards
Heredity
the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
Dominant Trait
A dominant trait is opposed to a recessive trait which is expressed only when two copies of the gene are present
Recessive Trait
Recessive traits can be carried in a person’s genes without appearing in that person. For example, a dark-haired person may have one gene for dark hair, which is a dominant trait, and one gene for light hair, which is recessive
Genes
A gene is the basic physical and functional unit of heredity
Alleles
one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome.
Phenotype
the set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
Genotype
the genetic constitution of an individual organism.
Probability
the extent to which something is probable; the likelihood of something happening or being the case
Homologous chromosomes
The cell has two sets of each chromosome; one of the pair is derived from the mother and the other from the father
Meiosis
Meiosis is a process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information
Sex chromosomes
a chromosome involved with determining the sex of an organism, typically one of two kinds.
Pedigree
an ancestral line; line of descent; lineage; ancestry.
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions used in the growth, development, functioning and reproduction of all known living organisms and many viruses
Nucleotide
Nucleotides are organic molecules that serve as the monomers, or subunits, of nucleic acids like DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) and RNA (ribonucleic acid)
RNA
RNA stands for ribonucleic acid
