Genetics and Heredity

Front

What is a genotype?

Back

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

Front

What is a phenotype?

Back

A phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, determined by its genotype and environment (e.g., flower color).

Front

What does homozygous mean?

Back

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

Front

What does heterozygous mean?

Back

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

Front

How many alleles does an offspring receive from each parent?

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An offspring receives one allele from each parent, totaling two alleles for each trait.

Front

What is an allele?

Back

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can produce different traits (e.g., the allele for blue flowers vs. the allele for red flowers).

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What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

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A dominant allele masks the effect of a recessive allele in a heterozygous genotype (e.g., B is dominant over b).

Front

What is a Punnett square?

Back

A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genetic outcomes of a cross between two organisms.

Front

What is the expected phenotype ratio in a monohybrid cross?

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The expected phenotype ratio in a monohybrid cross is typically 3:1 for dominant to recessive traits.

Front

What is incomplete dominance?

Back

Incomplete dominance is when the phenotype of a heterozygote is intermediate between the phenotypes of the homozygotes (e.g., red and white flowers producing pink flowers).