Basic Genetic Vocabulary

One of a number of different forms of the same gene that controls a specific trait.

• offspring

• allele

• cross

• Gregor Mendel

The breeding of two parents with different genes that produce offspring that have characteristics of both parents.

• cross

• dominant

• gene

• phenotype

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

A cross between two individuals for two traits.

• monohybrid cross

• dihybrid cross

• gene

• allele

Describes the number of times a genotype would appear in the offspring after a test cross.

• punnett square

• recessive

• genotypic ratio

• heterozygous

An allele or a gene that is expressed in an organism's phenotype, masking the effect of the recessive allele or gene when present.

• recessive

• cross

• dominant

• monohybrid cross

A cross between two individuals for one trait.

• allele

• monohybrid cross

• dihybrid cross

• genotype

A gene that can be masked by a dominant gene

• dominant

• recessive

• outcome

• homozygous

The unit of heredity made of nucleotides that is responsible for the physical and heritable characteristics or phenotype of an organism.

• dihybrid cross

• gene

• homozygous

• heterozygous

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Having 2 different alleles for a trait (1 dominant and 1 recessive.)

• homozygous

• genetics

• heterozygous

• dominant

Both alleles for a trait are the same

• homozygous

• heterozygous

• dominant

• recessive