Genetics Vocab

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What is the physical characteristic of a trait?

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Phenotype: The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences. Example: A tall pea plant.

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NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Front

What is the study of how traits are inherited?

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Genetics: The branch of biology that deals with heredity and variation in organisms.

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NGSS.HS-LS3-1

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Front

What is any change in the DNA of a gene or a chromosome?

Back

Mutation: A permanent alteration in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-2

Front

What do you call having two of the same alleles for a trait?

Back

Homozygous: An organism that has two identical alleles for a particular gene. Example: TT or tt.

Front

What is the genetic makeup of a trait?

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Genotype: The genetic constitution of an individual, represented by the alleles it possesses. Example: Tt or TT (where T = tall height).

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NGSS.HS-LS1-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

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Front

What is the term for different forms of a gene?

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Alleles: Variants of a gene that can produce different traits.

Front

What is the term for an organism that has two different alleles for a trait?

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Heterozygous: An organism that has two different alleles for a particular gene. Example: Tt.

Front

What is the term for the observable traits of an organism?

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Phenotype: The physical expression of the genotype, influenced by the environment.

Front

What is the term for the genetic information carried by chromosomes?

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DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid): The molecule that carries the genetic instructions for life.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

Front

What is the term for the passing of traits from parents to offspring?

Back

Heredity: The process by which genetic information is transmitted from parents to their offspring.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS3-1

NGSS.HS-LS3-2