| A | B |
|---|
| allele | different variations of a gene; a combination of dominant and recessive traits for a gene |
| trait | a characteristic |
| cell division | the process in reproduction and growth by which a cell divides to form two identical cells; allows an organism to grow larger |
| chromatid | the identical copy of a chromosome |
| chromosome | the structure in the nucleus that contains the genetic information that directs cell activity |
| cytokinesis | the process where cytoplasm divides, forming two identical cells |
| daughter cell | the new cells formed when a cell divides |
| deoxyribonucleic acid | the genetic information of the cell; contains traits that make organisms different from one another |
| dominant | the stronger of two traits in an organism |
| fertilization | a sperm cell joins with an egg cell |
| gamete | the reproductive cells; egg in the female, sperm in the male; contain only half the normal number of chromosomes as normal cells |
| gene | the small section of a chromosome that determines a trait |
| genetics | the stude of how traits are passed from parent to offspring |
| genotype | the inherited combination of alleles in an offspring; ex. TT or Tt for the height of a tall pea plant |
| heredity | the passing of traits from parents to offspring; occurs among all living things |
| inherited trait | a characteristic passed from parent to offspring; hair and skin color are examples |
| Law of Dominance | the principles of genetics; study by Gregor Mendel led to this |
| meiosis | the process of sex cell formation which only happens in reproductive cells |
| Gregor Mendel | a scientist who studied genetic patterns in pea plants |
| Mendelian trait | a trait produced by one gene; ex. hair color |
| mitosis | the process of cell division which allows living things to grow and repair themselves by making new cells |
| mutation | the changes in a gene; ex. albino alligator |
| nucleus | a part of the cell responsible for growth and reproduction; divides during reproduction |
| phenotype | the physical appearance of an organism; ex. height of a tall pea plant is tall, whether the plant's alleles are TT or Tt |
| Punnett square | a square designed to predict all possible gene combinations for the offspring of two parents |
| recessive | a trait that is hidden; the weaker of two traits |
| sexual reproduction | a new cell fromed when DNA from both parents combine |
| asexual reproduction | a single parent produces offspring that are identical to the parent |
