LS.10b-Heredity

Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring through genes.

A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by letters (e.g., BB, Bb, bb).

A phenotype is the observable physical or behavioral characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype.

Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., AA or aa).

Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Bb).

A dominant allele is an allele that expresses its trait even when paired with a different allele.

A recessive allele is an allele that only expresses its trait when paired with another recessive allele.

A purebred organism has a homozygous genotype, meaning it has two identical alleles for a trait.

A hybrid organism has a heterozygous genotype, meaning it has two different alleles for a trait.

Alleles are different forms of a gene that can exist at a specific locus on a chromosome.