Key Concepts in Mouse Genetics

Questions and Answers

What is an allele?

One of two or more forms that a gene could take (correct)

A process of genetic transmission

A molecule in the cell nucleus

A physical appearance of an organism

What does DNA stand for?

Deoxyribonucleic acid

A dominant allele's trait always shows up in the organism when it is present.

True

What is a gene?

A unit of heredity transferred from a parent to offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is a genotype?

An organism's genetic makeup or allele combinations Signup and view all the answers

Define heredity.

The passage of genetic information from parents to offspring Signup and view all the answers

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait is called homozygous.

False Signup and view all the answers

An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait is called hybrid.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a hybrid?

An organism that has two different alleles for a trait Signup and view all the answers

What is inheritance?

The process by which characteristics are transmitted from parents to offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is a phenotype?

An organism's physical appearance or visible traits Signup and view all the answers

What does a Punnett Square show?

All possible combinations of alleles from a genetic cross Signup and view all the answers

A recessive allele is masked when a dominant allele is present.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a trait?

A characteristic that an organism can pass on to its offspring through its genes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts in Mouse Genetics

Allele: Different forms of a gene that dictate variations in traits.
DNA: Known as deoxyribonucleic acid, it is the molecular blueprint for genetic information, residing in the cell nucleus.
Dominant Allele: An allele that expresses its trait whenever present in the genotype.
Gene: Fundamental hereditary unit passed from parent to offspring, influencing traits.
Genotype: The collection of alleles in an organism that defines its genetic makeup for specific traits.
Heredity: The process through which genetic traits are transferred from parents to their offspring.

Allele Combinations

Heterozygous: Describes an organism with two differing alleles for a particular trait, leading to variability in expression.
Homozygous: Refers to an organism possessing two identical alleles for a trait, resulting in consistent trait manifestation.
Hybrid: An organism characterized by having different alleles for a trait, similar to heterozygous.

Genetic Processes

Inheritance: Mechanism of transferring physical and biological traits from parents to offspring.
Phenotype: The observable characteristics or physical expression of an organism determined by its genotype.
Punnett Square: A visual tool used to predict the allele combinations and genotypes resulting from a genetic cross.
Recessive Allele: An allele whose effect is overshadowed by the presence of a dominant allele, only expressing in a homozygous state.

Traits in Genetics

Trait: A specific characteristic that can be passed down from parents to offspring through genetic inheritance.

Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of mouse genetics, including alleles, genes, and heredity. This quiz covers terminology such as dominant and recessive alleles, as well as the significance of genotype in determining traits. Test your knowledge on how these genetic principles apply to mouse specimens.