Genetics Vocab

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Recessive

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This describes an allele's inability to mask the dominant form and is represented by a lower case letter.

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Genotype

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The genetic makeup of a trait. For example: Tt or TT (T = tall height).

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Trait

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A specific characteristic that an organism can pass to its offspring through its genes.

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Allele

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The different forms of a gene. For example: yellow vs. green seeds.

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Heredity

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The passing of traits from parents to offspring.

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Dominant

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An allele that can mask the effect of a recessive allele.

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Phenotype

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The observable physical or biochemical characteristics of an organism, as determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.

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Homozygous

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Having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., TT or tt).

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Heterozygous

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Having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Tt).

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Punnett Square

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A diagram used to predict the outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.