Unit 7 - Genetics Vocabulary

Question 1

“Father” of genetics?

Answer 1

Gregor Mendel

Question 2

Gene

Answer 2

A segment on DNA that codes for a trait or protein.

Question 3

Homologous Chromosomes

Answer 3

Paired chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry genes for a specific trait at the same locations.

Question 4

Gamete

Answer 4

Sex cells. Sperm or egg.

Question 5

Haploid

Answer 5

A cell having 1/2 the genetic information as a normal cell. They are sex cells (sperm or egg) that combine to become normal, diploid cells.

Question 6

Diploid

Answer 6

A cell that has two copies of each chromosome.Normal cells.

Question 7

Homozygous

Answer 7

The organism has two of the same alleles for a specific trait. TT or tt.

Question 8

Heterozygous

Answer 8

The organism has two different alleles for a specific trait. Tt

Question 9

Genotype

Answer 9

The genetic make-up of an organism.

Question 10

Phenotype

Answer 10

The observable characteristics that is expressed. What the organism looks like.

Question 11

Mendel’s Law of Segregation

Answer 11

States that the individual alleles separate during meiosis or sex cell formation.

Question 12

Genetic Recombination

Answer 12

A new combination of genes produced by crossing over and independent assortment.

Question 13

Carrier

Answer 13

Someone who is heterozygous for a recessive disorder such as cystic fibrosis or Tay-sachs disease.

Question 14

Pedigree

Answer 14

A diagram showing the family history to document the inheritance patterns of a trait through several generations.

Question 15

Codominance

Answer 15

Neither allele is dominant and both are expressed in the phenotype.

Question 16

Nondisjunction

Answer 16

Cell division where two sister chromosomes don’t separate correctly. It results in an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Question 17

Gene Regulation

Answer 17

The ability of an organism to control which genes are expressed in response to the environment.

Question 18

Mutation

Answer 18

A permanent change in a cell’s DNA.

Question 19

Mutagen

Answer 19

A substance that causes mutations.

Question 20

Selective breeding

Answer 20

Human directed breeding to produce plants and animals with desired traits.

Question 21

Test Cross

Answer 21

Breeding that can be used to determine an organism’s genotype.

Question 22

Genetic Engineering

Answer 22

Technology used to manipulate an organism’s DNA by inserting the DNA of another organism.

Question 23

Recombinant DNA

Answer 23

A new piece of DNA made from DNA another source.