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Genetics Vocabulary
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Allele
One of the different forms of a gene that can exist at a single locus.
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism; a complete set of genes in an organism.
Phenotype
The physical appearance or biochemical characteristic of an organism as a result of the interaction of its genotype and the environment.
Dominant
An allele that is expressed in an organism's phenotype, masking the effect of the recessive allele when present.
Recessive
An allele that is masked by the presence of a dominant allele.
Homozygous
Having two identical alleles for a particular gene.
Heterozygous
Having two different alleles for a particular gene.
Punnett Square
A diagram that is used to predict the outcome of a particular cross or breeding experiment.
Chromosome
A thread-like structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
Gene
A segment of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a specific trait.
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
The molecule that carries genetic instructions used in growth, development, functioning, and reproduction.
RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)
A nucleic acid present in all living cells. Its principal role is to act as a messenger carrying instructions from DNA for controlling the synthesis of proteins.
Mitosis
A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of ordinary tissue growth.
Meiosis
A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell, as in the production of gametes.
Mutation
A change in the nucleotide sequence of the DNA of an organism.
Nucleotide
The basic building block of nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA; composed of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base.
Codon
A sequence of three nucleotides which together form a unit of genetic code in a DNA or RNA molecule.
Genetic Code
The set of rules by which information encoded within genetic material (DNA or mRNA sequences) is translated into proteins by living cells.
Recombinant DNA
DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms.
Genetic Drift
The change in the frequency of an existing gene variant in a population due to random sampling of organisms.
Natural Selection
The process by which organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and produce more offspring.
Genetic Linkage
The tendency of alleles that are located close together on a chromosome to be inherited together during the meiosis phase of sexual reproduction.
Transcription
The process by which the information in a strand of DNA is copied into a new molecule of messenger RNA (mRNA).
Translation
The process of translating the sequence of a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule to a sequence of amino acids during protein synthesis.
Polypeptide
A polymer of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.
Pedigree
A diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance or phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors from one generation to the next.
Genetic Engineering
The deliberate modification of the characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material.
Karyotype
The number and appearance of chromosomes in the nucleus of a eukaryotic cell. The term is also used for the complete set of chromosomes in a species or in an individual organism.
Eukaryote
An organism whose cells contain a nucleus surrounded by a membrane and whose DNA is bound together by proteins (histones) into chromosomes.
Prokaryote
A unicellular organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus, mitochondria, or any other membrane-bound organelle.
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