Trait Variations

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Variation Noun

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[vair-ee-ey-shuhn]

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Variation

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Any difference in traits between individuals of the same species, which can be inherited or caused by the environment.

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Example: Different eye colors show variation in traits among humans.

Front

Trait Noun

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[treyt]

Back

Trait

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A specific characteristic of an organism, such as its physical appearance or a particular function, determined by genes.

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Example: The image shows how specific genes determine traits like eye and hair color.

Front

Inheritance Noun

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[in-her-i-tuhns]

Back

Inheritance

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The process by which genetic information, in the form of genes, is passed down from parents to their offspring.

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Example: The image shows how chromosomes from both parents combine to determine traits in their children.

Front

Chromosome Noun

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[kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Chromosome

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A thread-like structure of DNA and protein found in the nucleus of cells, carrying an organism's genetic information.

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Example: Shows how DNA coils into chromosomes, highlighting nucleosomes and histones.

Front

Gene Noun

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[jeen]

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Gene

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A specific segment of DNA on a chromosome that holds the instructions for building a particular protein or functional molecule.

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Example: The image shows how a gene is a part of a DNA molecule within a chromosome in a cell.

Front

Protein Noun

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[proh-teen]

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Protein

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A large, complex molecule made of amino acids that performs a wide variety of essential functions within cells.

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Example: The image shows how amino acids connect to form a polypeptide chain, illustrating protein structure.

Front

Sex Chromosome Noun

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[seks kroh-muh-sohm]

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Sex Chromosome

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A type of chromosome, such as X or Y in humans, that carries genes determining an organism's biological sex.

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Example: The image shows X and Y chromosomes determining male (XY) and female (XX) sex.

Front

Autosomal Chromosome Noun

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[aw-tuh-soh-muhl kroh-muh-sohm]

Back

Autosomal Chromosome

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Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome; humans have 22 pairs of these chromosomes in each body cell.

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Example: Shows 22 pairs of autosomal chromosomes, distinct from sex chromosomes, in a human cell.

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Homologous Chromosomes Noun

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[huh-mol-uh-guhs kroh-muh-sohmz]

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Homologous Chromosomes

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A pair of chromosomes, one inherited from each parent, that have the same genes at the same locations.

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Example: Homologous chromosomes are pairs with similar genes, shown here with sister chromatids.

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Allele Noun

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[uh-leel]

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Allele

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One of the different versions of a gene that can exist for a particular trait at a specific location.

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Example: The image shows how alleles for earlobe types are different versions of a gene on homologous chromosomes.