1. Genetics Vocabulary

2. DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid- DNA Molecule that stores information
Blueprint of how your cells need to grow, divide, and function.
Explore:
our_dna.html

3. Gene Physical and functional unit of heredity Specific segment of DNA
Explores: our_gene.html

4. Chromosome
A structure in the nucleus that contains your genetic information (DNA)
Genes reside on your chromosomes
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5. Allele An alternative form of a gene.
You receive one allele from each of your parents.
Interact in a dominant or recessive manner

6. Heredity Passing of traits from parents to offspring
Inheritance of traits
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7. Trait A trait is a unique feature or quality in a person.
Traits are passed down through generations
Exploring traits: /tour_trait.html

8. Dominant trait
An allele that is always observed even when other alleles are present.
Represented by a CAPITAL LETTER RR

9. Recessive Trait An allele that is not always observed
Recessive alleles are only observed when two recessive alleles are present.
Represented by lower case letters rr

10. Heterozygous Organism has two different alleles for a particular gene.Aa

11. Homozygous
When an organism has two identical alleles of a particular gene.
aa or AA

12. Recessive
Describing a genetic trait that is not expressed in heterozygotes Aa Tt
For a recessive allele to be expressed, there must be two copies of the allele, i.e., the individual must be homozygous aa tt

13. Mendel Carried out first important studies of heredity.
Inherited characteristics are traits.
He used pea plants in his experiments
Used only one trait at a time to control for variables.
First crosses involved tall and short pea plants.

14. 75% 25% Punnett square representing possible genotypes
and phenotypes and their proportions in the F2 and F3 generations.
Think-Quest: Introduction to Genetics

15. Phenotype vs. Genotype
Phenotype- the physical characteristic or trait you observe
Eye color
Widows peak
Genotype- is the gene located on the chromosome that codes for the trait or phenotype

16. Punnett Square Punnett square representing possible genotypes
and phenotypes.