A | B |
allele | one or more alternate forms of a gene Ex: P=dominant (purple); p=recessive(white) |
dominant trait | a trait that will appear in the offspring if one of the parents contributes it; in a heterozygous condition it will be expressed. |
genotype | genetic make-up of an organism Ex: DD-homozygous dominant genotype; Dd- heterozygous genotype; dd- homozygous recessive genotype |
Gregor Mendel | father of genetics |
heterozygous | refers to an organism that has two different alleles for the same trait Ex: Aa |
homozygous | refers to an organism that has two identical alleles for a particular trait Ex: AA or aa |
monohybrid cross | a method of tracking the inheritance pattern of a single trait between two individual organisms |
pedigree | a family tree that records and traces the occurence of a trait in a family |
phenotype | physical characteristics of an organism |
punnett square | diagram showing the possible gene combinations of a genetic cross |
recessive trait | describes a trait that is not expressed in heterozygous individuals. Must have two recessive alleles in order for the gene to be expressed |
sex-linked trait | gene located on the x chromosome. males tend to inherit these traits, such as colorblindness, more often than females because they only have one x chromosome |
x chromosome | the sex chromosome found in both men and women. Females have two and males have one. It is the largest sex chromosome. |