Heredity Vocab

Dominant allele

• An allele that is always recessive in the organism.

• An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present.

• An allele that does not affect the organism's traits.

• An allele that can only be expressed in a homozygous condition.

Gene

• A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait

• A type of protein that regulates cell function

• A molecule that carries genetic information

• A structure that provides energy to cells

Are dominant traits more common?

• Yes, they are always more common.

• No, they have an increased probability but the environment plays a larger role in what is common.

• Dominant traits are less common than recessive traits.

• Dominant traits are only common in certain species.

Heterozygous

• An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait

• An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

• An organism that has no alleles for a trait

• An organism that has one allele for a trait

Recessive allele

• An allele that is masked when a dominant allele is present

• An allele that always expresses its trait

• An allele that can only be inherited from one parent

• An allele that is dominant over all others

Homozygous

• An organism that has two identical alleles for a trait

• An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

• An organism that has one dominant and one recessive allele

• An organism that has no alleles for a trait

Traits

• Characteristics that are inherited

• Physical features that are acquired

• Temporary behaviors influenced by environment

• Random genetic mutations

Probability

• A measure of the likelihood of an event occurring

• A statistical average of past events

• A fixed number that never changes

• A method for predicting future events

Hybrid

• An organism that has two different alleles for a trait

• An organism that has identical alleles for a trait

• An organism that can produce offspring of different species

• An organism that has no alleles for a trait

Genotype

• An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

• The physical appearance of an organism.

• The process of cell division in organisms.

• The environmental factors affecting an organism's traits.