| A | B |
|---|
| anticodon | a sequence of three nucleotide bases on tRNA that binds to a complementary mRNA codon |
| cloning | the practice of reproducing an organism that is genetically identical to the original |
| co-dominance | a type of inheritance in which two alleles representing homozygous phenotypes are equally expressed |
| codon | a sequence of three nucleotide bases on mRNA that codes for a specific amino acid |
| deletion | a genetic mutation in which one or more nucleotides are removed from a section of DNA |
| DNA fingerprinting | laboratory technique used to produce the unique pattern of dark bands on photographic film that is made to study an organism's genetic sequence |
| dominant | an allele that is expressed in an organism's phenotype that masks the effect of another allele |
| duplication | a genetic mutation in which a region that contains a gene or an entire chromosome is duplicated, resulting in multiple copies of that region or nucleotide |
| frameshift mutation | the addition or deletion of one or more nucleotides that changes the order in which they are grouped into codons |
| gene splicing | a laboratory method of cutting apart and recombining genes to produce recombinant DNA |
| gene therapy | the use of genetic engineering to change the genes within an individual's cells and tissues for the purpose of treating a disease |
| genetically modified organism (GMO) | an organism whose genetic material has been altered through some genetic engineering technology/technique |
| genetic engineering | a technology that includes the process of manipulating/altering the genetic material of a cell resulting in desirable functions or outcomes that would not occur naturally |
| genetics | the scientific study of inheritance |
| genotype | the genetic makeup of an organism |
| heredity | the passing of genetic factors from parent to offspring |
| heterozygous | having two different forms of alleles that code for the same trait ("different alleles") |
| homozygous | having two identical alleles that code for the same trait ("same alleles") |
| incomplete dominance | a type of inheritance in which the heterozygous phenotype is a blend of two alleles, neither dominant nor recessive |
| inversion | a genetic mutation in which the order of a segment of genetic material is reversed |
| karyotype | a picture of a person's chromosomes, illustrating the number and appearance of the chromosomes |
| missense mutation | type of point mutation in which there is one different amino acid in the resulting protein |
| mRNA (messenger RNA) | single-stranded molecule of RNA that contains the instructions for protein synthesis |
| multiple-allele | a type of inheritance in which more than two alleles exist for a gene, resulting in many combinations of possible genotypes |
| mutagen | an agent of substance that can bring about a permanent alteration to the DNA code |
| mutation | a permanent change in a DNA sequence |
| nondisjunction | the failure of chromosomes to separate during meiosis, resulting in daughter cells with missing or extra copies of chromosomes |
| nonsense mutuation | type of point mutation in which there is an insertion of a stop codon, causing the normal protein to be shorter |
| pedigree | a chart that is used to trace inheritance of a trait through multiple generations of related individuals |
| phenotype | the physical characteristics of an organism |
| plasmid | circular DNA molecules that are separate from chromosomal DNA and can replicate independently |
| polygenic | a trait determined by many different genes |
| recessive | an allele that is masked by another, which is only expressed in an organism's phenotype when the alleles are identical |
| recombinant DNA | DNA which is made from two or more different organisms |
| RNA | a single-stranded nucleic acid that contains uracil (U) instead of thymine (T) |
| RNA polymerase | enzyme that is responsible for copying DNA into RNA during transcription |
| rRNA (ribosomal RNA) | predominant material within the ribosome, which is the site of protein synthesis |
| sex-linked trait | a trait determined by genes on a sex chromosome |
| silent mutation | type of point mutation in which there is no change in an amino acid |
| transcription | the process in which genetic information from DNA is copied to mRNA |
| transgenic | an organism that contains DNA from other organisms |
| translation | the process in which mRNA is decoded/converted into the amino acid sequence of a protein |
| translocation | a chromosome alteration in which genes are moved or exchanged between chromosomes |
| tRNA (transfer RNA) | single-stranded molecule of RNA that transfers a specific amino acid to the ribosome/mRNA during protein synthesis |
