Vocab science

Allele

One of a pair of genes that determine a specific trait

Chromosome

A structure located in the nucleus of a cell, made of DNA, that contains the genetic information needed to carry out cell functions and make a new cell

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the material found in a cell's nucleus, that determines the genetic traits of the organism

Dominant trait

In a pair of alleles, the one that, if present, determines the trait

Gene

Segment of DNA, found on a chromosome, that determines the inheritance of a particular trait

Generations

That which is generated or brought forth; offspring

Genetics

The study of how traits are passed from parent to offspring

Genotype

The set of genes carried by an organism

Gregor Mendel

Father of genetics who conducted pea plant experiments to determine how traits were passed from one generation to the next.

heredity

The passage of genetic instruction from one generation to the next generation

Hybrid or heterozygous

Refers to an organism that carries two different alleles for the same trait

offspring

New organism produced by a living thing.

Phenotype

The physical appearance of an organism

Pure breed or homozygous

Refers to an organism that carries two dominant or two recessive alleles for a given trait

Recessive trait

In a pair of alleles, the one that is masked in a dominant allele is present

Selective breeding

The intentional breeding of organisms with desirable traits in an attempt to produce offspring with similar desirable characteristics or with improved traits.

Punnett Square

A diagram that is used to predict an outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.

codominance

a cross between organisms with two different phenotypes produces offspring with a third phenotype in which both of the parental traits appear together

Incomplete dominance

a cross between organisms with two different phenotypes produces offspring with a third phenotype that is a blending of the parental traits