Genetics Review

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What is a gene?

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A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or set of proteins, which determine traits in an organism.

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What are alleles?

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Alleles are different versions of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.

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What does homozygous mean?

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Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., FF or ff).

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What does heterozygous mean?

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Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Ff).

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What is a phenotype?

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Phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

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What is a genotype?

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Genotype is the genetic constitution of an individual, specifically the alleles present for a particular gene.

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What is a dominant allele?

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A dominant allele is an allele that expresses its trait even when only one copy is present (e.g., F in Ff).

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What is a recessive allele?

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A recessive allele is an allele that only expresses its trait when two copies are present (e.g., ff).

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What is a hybrid organism?

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A hybrid organism is the offspring resulting from the crossbreeding of two different species or varieties, often having heterozygous alleles.

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What is sickle cell disease?

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Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by a recessive allele that leads to the production of abnormally shaped red blood cells.