Heredity Vocabulary

When several genes influence a trait

• Polygenic inheritance

• Autosomes

A version of a gene

• Allele

• Polygenic inheritance

When the heterozygous genotype results in a phenotype where both alleles are fully and separately expressed

• Codominance

• Law of dominance

Chromosomes 1-44 in a human

• Autosomes

• Epistasis

Only expressed in the homozygous state

• Recessive

• Heterozygous

Genes that travel on the X chromosome

• Sex-linked

• Genotype

Chromosomes line up randomly during metaphase therefore it is possible for any combination of chromosomes to be passed on from parent to offspring

• Law of independent assortment

• Dominant

A diagram that shows homologous chromosome pairs

• Karyotype

• Codominance

The macromolecule that runs your body and expresses your traits

• Protein

• DNA

A genotype resulting from the inheritance of two different alleles from your parents

• Heterozygous

• Sex-linked