Genes and Alleles

Front

What is a gene?

Back

A piece of DNA that codes for a trait.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Front

What is an allele?

Back

A variant form of a gene that can produce different traits.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Front

What is a chromosome?

Back

A structure made of DNA and proteins that contains genes.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Front

What is a trait?

Back

An observable characteristic of an organism.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Front

What does homozygous mean?

Back

Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

Front

What does heterozygous mean?

Back

Having two different alleles for a particular gene.

Front

What is a genotype?

Back

The genetic makeup of an organism, represented by alleles.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-1

Front

What is a phenotype?

Back

The physical expression or characteristics of a genotype.

Front

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

Back

Dominant alleles express their trait even when only one copy is present; recessive alleles require two copies to express their trait.

Front

What is a Punnett square?

Back

A diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross.