Unit 8, Topic 2: Inheritance Vocabulary

dominant allele

• version of a gene that can cover up another version

• a type of allele that is always expressed

• an allele that is only expressed in the absence of a dominant allele

• a gene that has no effect on the phenotype

Punnett square

• a model that allows you to calculate the possible traits an organism can inherit

• a tool used to measure genetic diversity

• a diagram that shows the physical appearance of an organism

• a method for cloning organisms

recessive allele

• version of a gene that another version can cover up

• a gene that always expresses itself

• a gene that is only expressed in the presence of another recessive gene

• a gene that has no effect on the phenotype

asexual reproduction

• production of offspring with one parent

• production of offspring with two parents

• production of offspring through fertilization

• production of offspring from spores

reproduction

• producing offspring

• creating new species

• developing genetic traits

• enhancing survival rates

trait

• characteristic of an organism that can vary

• a type of genetic mutation

• a specific behavior of an animal

• a physical feature that is always the same

allele

• version of a gene

• a type of chromosome

• a genetic mutation

• a protein structure

genotype

• content of the genetic code of an individual organism

• the physical appearance of an organism

• the environment in which an organism lives

• the evolutionary history of an organism

sexual reproduction

• Production of offspring with one parent

• Production of offspring with two parents

• Production of offspring through cloning

• Production of offspring without genetic material

incomplete dominance

• inheritance where the phenotype appears as a blending of traits

• inheritance where one trait completely masks another

• inheritance that involves multiple alleles

• inheritance that results in a dominant phenotype only