1. Genetics Vocabulary Spring 2014
Venable Biology

2. The passing of traits from parents to offspring
Genetics and Heredity
The study of heredity
The passing of traits from parents to offspring

3. Gamete – sex cell; examples are sperm, egg, pollen, ovule
Meiosis / Gametes
The making of sex cells
Gamete – sex cell; examples are sperm, egg, pollen, ovule

4. A fertilized egg ; two gametes become one
Zygote
A fertilized egg ; two gametes become one

5. Fertilization / Pollination
The fusing or uniting of two gametes (into 1 cell) ; forms a zygote or seed
When pollen reaches the stigma of the female pistil of a flower

6. Stamen / Pistil
Male reproductive part of the flower ; made of the anther (holds pollen) and filament
Female reproductive of the flower ‘ made of the stigma (sticky top portion), style, and ovary

7. Strands of genetic information found in the nucleus of a cell
Chromosomes
Strands of genetic information found in the nucleus of a cell

8. Haploid / Diploid
n; ½ the number of chromosomes than the normal body cell (somatic cell) ; number of chromosomes in the gametes of an organism ; ex. 23 in human
2n; two full sets of chromosomes in a normal body cell; ex. 46 in human

9. Allele
An alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome ; each for a particular trait
For example, the gene for seed shape in pea plants exists in two forms, one form or allele for round seed shape (R) and the other for wrinkled seed shape (r).

10. Trait
Characteristics inherited from two parents ; A genetically determined characteristic or condition

11. Genes
An allele that codes for a particular trait ; Genes are segments of DNA located on chromosomes. Genes exist in alternative forms called alleles.

12. Genotype / Phenotype
Gene combination that determines a trait ; the genetic makeup of an organism
The physical trait created by the genotype ; an organism's expressed physical traits

13. Allele that is seen of present ; represented with a capital letter
Dominant / Recessive
Allele that is seen of present ; represented with a capital letter
Allele that is masked / not seen unless paired with another recessive allele ; lower case letter
Dominant Alleles:
T, G, A, B
Recessive Alleles:
t, g, a b

14. “The Father of Genetics”
Gregor Mendel
Austrian monk who studied the garden pea plant (7 different traits studied);
“The Father of Genetics”

15. Homozygous / Heterozygous
Genotype were both alleles paired up are identical ; ex. TT, tt
Genotype were both alleles paired up are opposite ; ex. Tt

16. Sex Chromosomes
The 23rd pair of paired chromsomes in an human somatic cell (The 1-22 pair are referred to as AUTOSOMES).
The sex chromsomes may be X or Y ; human males all have a 23rd pair that is XY, females are XX

17. Karyotype
A visual map of all the chromsomes of a person / organism ; karyotyping is a test to examine chromosomes in a sample of cells, which can help identify genetic problems as the cause of a disorder or disease. This test can:
Count the number of chromosomes
Look for structural changes in chromosomes

18. Punnett Square
Tool used in genetics to predict the outcome of two parents offspring ; a type of grid used to show the gametes of each parent and their possible offspring; a type of grid that can indicate all the possible outcomes of a genetic cross

19. Pedigree
Tool used to show the passing of disorders within a family in genetics / it is an account of the descent of a person or family traced through a series of generations