Genetics and Heredity Vocabulary

Asexual Reproduction

• A type of reproduction that produces offspring genetically identical to the parent.

• A type of reproduction that involves the fusion of gametes.

• A type of reproduction that occurs only in plants.

• A type of reproduction that results in genetic variation.

Dominant Alleles

• Alleles represented by lowercase letters that will not show up if present (e.g., rr or Rr).

• Alleles represented by capital letters that will always show up if present (e.g., RR or Rr).

• Alleles that are only expressed in homozygous conditions (e.g., RR).

• Alleles that are masked by recessive alleles (e.g., Rr).

Phenotype

• The genetic makeup of an individual.

• The total physical appearance (what you can see) of an individual.

• The environmental factors affecting an organism.

• The evolutionary history of a species.

Genotype

• The physical appearance of an individual.

• The genetic makeup of an individual, represented by the alleles (e.g., RR, Rr, or rr).

• The environmental factors affecting an organism.

• The process of cell division in organisms.

Heredity

• The process in which characteristics are passed from parents to offspring.

• The study of how organisms interact with their environment.

• A method of genetic engineering to alter traits in organisms.

• The phenomenon of natural selection affecting species over time.

Homozygous (Purebred)

• A term describing two paired alleles that are exactly the same (e.g., FF or ff).

• A term describing two paired alleles that are different (e.g., Ff).

• A term used for a single allele in a gene pair.

• A term that refers to the physical appearance of an organism.

Alleles

• Two different forms of a gene (one from each parent).

• The physical location of a gene on a chromosome.

• A type of mutation that alters a gene's function.

• The process by which genes are expressed as traits.

Heterozygous

• A term describing two paired alleles that are the same (e.g., RR)

• A term describing two paired alleles that are different (e.g., Rr)

• A term used for organisms with only one allele for a trait

• A term describing the genetic makeup of an organism without reference to alleles

Chromosome

• The structure where genetic information is stored within the nucleus of a cell.

• A type of protein that helps in cell division.

• A small organelle responsible for energy production.

• A molecule that carries oxygen in the blood.

Punnett Square

• A chart used to calculate the probability of an offspring’s combination of alleles.

• A method for measuring genetic diversity in a population.

• A tool for determining the age of fossils based on genetic material.

• A diagram that shows the physical traits of an organism.