allele
Alternate form of a gene gene variant
autosome
Chromosome that does NOT determine sex #1-22 in humans
chromosome
Structure made of DNA and special proteins; carries genes
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid; sequences in DNA are codes for making proteins
Dominant
Allele that exerts effect with just one copy; “overpowers” recessive gene
gene
Sequence of DNA that has a known function; encodes for a protein or turns another gene on/off
Gene pool
All of the genes in a population
genome
Complete set of genetic instructions ; all of the A, T, C, and G’s in the DNA of an organism
genotype
Allele combination ex. Tt or tt
karyotype
Display of chromosomes in order of size
Mendelian trait
Determined by a single gene
Multifactorial trait
Determined by one or more genes and the environment
Mutation
Change in a gene; could affect health, appearance or biochemistry
Pedigree
Diagram used to follow inheritance of a trait in a family
Phenotype
Observable expression of allele combination ex. Tall or short
polymorphism
A place in the genome that varies in 1% or more of the population
recessive
An allele that exerts effect only when present in two copies
RNA
Ribonucleic acid ; many jobs including helping cells to synthesize proteins
Sex chromosome
Chromosome that carries genes that determine sex in humans XX or XY