Genetics Vocab
A section of DNA that codes for a specific trait
Gene
The process of traits or characteristics being passed down from parents to offspring.
Inheritance
The process of species changing over time
Evolution
A group of organisms that have similar traits and can produce fertile offspring
Species
Does "evolution" refer to many organisms of the same species over generations, or individuals?
many organisms of the same species over generations
A type of allele that will always express, if present
Dominant
A type of allele that will not express if the other allele is dominant
Recessive
When organisms are bred by humans to produce desirable traits.
Artificial Selection
Organisms with beneficial traits are more likely to survive and reproduce in their environment.
Natural Selection
Having brown or blue eyes.
Having B and b alleles
B and b alleles
The physical characteristics of a trait
Phenotype
An organism has 2 different alleles for a gene for a specific trait.
Heterozygous
An inherited trait that increases an organism’s chance at survival in its environment.
Adaptation
A group of organisms that are the same species and live in the same environment.
Population
individuals
An organism contains two identical alleles for a gene that codes for a specific trait
Homozygous
The different versions (or forms) of a gene.
Allele
The role a population has in its ecosystem, including how it interacts with other species and resources
Niche
A measure of how well an organism can survive and reproduce in its environment
Fitness
The theory that says all organisms come from related ancestral species
Common Descent
The combination of two alleles that control a single trait.
Genotype
All of an organism's genetic information
Genome
Differences in physical traits amongst individuals of the same species.
Variation
Something in the environment that affects which organisms survive and reproduce.
Selective Pressure
The DNA instructions are followed to make what they code for.
Express