Words
the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another.
Heredity
The study of how traits get passed down from parents to children (offspring)
Genetics
characteristics which can be easily observed For example: eye color, height, skin
Traits
Band on a chromosome that controls a trait. Made up of DNA
AKA deoxyribonucleic acid, the molecule that contains the genetic code (a blueprint for who you are)
DNA
Different forms of a gene Example: Gene: eye color Allele: brown, blue, green *some alleles overpower others
Allele
allele that always shows itself; represented with capital letter B B= brown eyes
B b = brown eyes
Dominant
allele that is hidden when the dominant allele is present; represented with lower case letter
b b = blue eyes
B b = brown eyes
Recessive
physical appearance of a
person
For example: brown eyes
Phenotype
genetic makeup of a person; your “letters”
For example: B b
Genotype
identical alleles for a trait
(from mom & from dad)
For example: B B or b b
Homozygous
different alleles for a trait
(from mom & from dad)
For example: B b
Heterozygus
When two dominant alleles are equally as strong. Both traits are expressed in the offspring. Example: Blood type
Codominance
Each allele in a heterozygous individual influences the phenotype resulting in a blend of the phenotypes of the parents
Example: red flower x white flower = pink flower
Incomplete Dominance
A chart used to show possible gene combinations for the offspring in a cross.
Punnett Square