Genetics and Heredity Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a Trait?

An organism's genetic makeup

A chart or family tree

A characteristic an organism can pass to its offspring (correct)

A scientific study of heredity

What is Genetics?

The scientific study of heredity.

Define Fertilization.

The joining of a sperm and an egg.

What does Purebred mean?

The offspring of many generations that have the same traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Gene?

The set of information that controls a trait; a segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait. Signup and view all the answers

What are Alleles?

The different forms of a gene. Signup and view all the answers

Define Dominant Allele.

An allele whose traits always show up in the organism when the allele is present. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Recessive Allele?

An allele that is masked when the dominant allele is present. Signup and view all the answers

What does Hybrid mean?

An organism that has two different alleles. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Punnet Square?

A chart that shows the combination of all the alleles. Signup and view all the answers

Define Phenotype.

An organism's traits. Signup and view all the answers

What is Genotype?

An organism's genetic makeup. Signup and view all the answers

What is Meiosis?

Chromosomes reduced by half. Signup and view all the answers

Define DNA.

Genetic material that carries information. Signup and view all the answers

What are Sex Chromosomes?

A pair of chromosomes carrying genes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Sex-linked Gene?

A gene carried on the X or Y chromosomes. Signup and view all the answers

What does Carrier mean?

A person that has one recessive allele but no trait. Signup and view all the answers

Define Genetic Disorder.

Condition that a person inherits through genes or chromosomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Pedigree?

A chart or family tree. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Karyotype?

A picture of chromosomes in a cell in pairs. Signup and view all the answers

Define Hybridization.

A breeding method where the individuals are crossed. Signup and view all the answers

What does RNA stand for?

Ribonucleic acid. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Heredity

Trait: A characteristic that can be inherited from parents to offspring.
Genetics: The branch of biology focused on heredity and variation in organisms.
Fertilization: The process involving the union of sperm and egg to form a zygote.

Genetic Terms

Purebred: Offspring derived from many generations with consistent traits.
Gene: A segment of DNA on a chromosome that determines a specific trait.
Alleles: Variants of a gene that exist at the same locus on homologous chromosomes.

Dominance and Recessiveness

Dominant allele: An allele whose traits are expressed in the organism whenever it is present.
Recessive allele: An allele that is concealed when a dominant allele is present.

Organism Types

Hybrid: An organism with two different alleles for a given trait.

Genetic Tools

Punnett square: A diagram used to predict the genetic variation from a genetic cross.
Phenotype: The observable traits of an organism, resulting from the genotype.
Genotype: The genetic composition of an organism, represented by the alleles it possesses.

Genetic Processes

Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the number of chromosomes in gametes by half.
DNA: The molecular structure that serves as the genetic material for all living organisms.

Chromosomal Genetics

Sex chromosomes: The pair of chromosomes that determine an individual's sex, includes X and Y chromosomes.
Sex-linked gene: A gene located on a sex chromosome, often affecting traits linked to gender.

Inheritance Patterns

Carrier: An individual possessing one recessive allele, who does not exhibit the associated trait.
Genetic disorder: An inherited condition arising from abnormal genes or chromosomes.

Family and Genetic Studies

Pedigree: A family tree diagram that illustrates the inheritance of traits through generations.
Karyotype: An organized profile of an individual's chromosomes, used to assess chromosomal abnormalities.
Hybridization: A breeding technique that involves crossing different individuals to produce hybrids.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key terms and concepts related to genetics and heredity with these flashcards. Each card covers important terminology such as traits, genes, and fertilization to help reinforce your understanding of how traits are passed from parents to offspring.