Genetics Vocabulary

Front

What are the structures in this image called?

Back

Chromosomes are the structures that carry genetic information in the form of genes.

Front

The passing of traits from parent to offspring is known as:

Back

Heredity is the process through which traits are passed from parents to their offspring.

Front

The study of how traits are inherited through the interactions of genes is called:

Back

Genetics is the branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms.

Front

One form of a gene is called a(n) _________.

Back

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can result in different traits.

Front

A heterozygous yellow pea plant's genotype would be:

Back

Yy is the genotype for a heterozygous yellow pea plant, where 'Y' represents the dominant yellow allele and 'y' represents the recessive green allele.

Front

What is the term for the physical expression of a trait?

Back

Phenotype refers to the observable characteristics or traits of an organism.

Front

What is the term for different versions of a gene?

Back

Alleles are different versions of a gene that can produce variations in a trait.

Front

What is the term for the genetic makeup of an organism?

Back

Genotype refers to the genetic constitution of an individual, including all alleles.

Front

What is a dominant allele?

Back

A dominant allele is an allele that expresses its trait even in the presence of a recessive allele.

Front

What is a recessive allele?

Back

A recessive allele is an allele that only expresses its trait when two copies are present (homozygous).