Genetics Vocabulary
What is the name for our genetic material that is used to code for our traits?
DNA
What is the name for the field of study that looks at how traits are passed down from one generation to the next?
Genetics
What are the building blocks of proteins?
Amino acids
What is the base pairing rule?
A binds with T, C binds with G. *A binds with U in RNA*
What symbol represents a male on a pedigree chart? What symbol represents a female on a pedigree chart?
Square and circle
What type of trait is represented by a lowercase letter?
Recessive
What type of trait is represented by a capital letter?
Dominant
What organelle is responsible for creating proteins?
Ribosomes
What is the name for the shape of DNA?
Double helix
How do we label the different generations on a pedigree chart?
Roman numerals
What is the name of the different versions of the same gene?
Allele
What is the name for a segment of DNA that codes for a trait?
Gene
What is a codon?
Group of three letters/bases
What are two differences between DNA and RNA?
DNA has thymine while RNA has uracil, DNA is double stranded while RNA is single stranded, DNA is made of deoxyribose while RNA is made of ribose
What is a mutation?
A genetic mistake
What is the name for someone who receives the same version of a trait from both parents?
Homozygous
What is the name for someone who receives DIFFERENT versions of a trait from both parents?
What is the name for the two steps in protein synthesis?
Transcription and Translation
What is the name of the enzyme that adds complimentary base pairs to DNA during replication?
DNA polymerase
What happens during a substitution mutation?
One letter is swapped out for another letter
What is the name for your physical traits?
Phenotype
What is the name for the variety of alleles that you inherit from your parents (i.e. lower case and upper case letters)?
Genotype
What are the two types of RNA molecules used in protein synthesis?
mRNA and tRNA
Give me the actual names for the four bases found in DNA
Cytosine, Adenine, Guanine, Thymine
List 5 traits that could have been used on your pedigree charts?
Widow's peak, tongue rolling, curly hair, dimples, cleft chin, attached earlobes