Genetics Vocabulary REVIEW

Work together to ensure that all organisms function properly the smallest unit of life. Work together to ensure that all organisms function properly cell

traits passed on to offspring from parents. heredity

a distinguishing characteristic trait

a form of a gene allele

having two different alleles for a trait heterozygous (hybrid)

physical appearance of an organism phenotype

reproducing without the union of gametes asexual reproduction

of one or more amino acids large molecule composed of one or more amino acids protein  

the level of likelihood that something will occur probability

the two new cells formed during mitosis daughter cells

the male sex cell; determines the gender of the offspring sperm

the process of sex cell formation; a diploid cell divides into four haploid sex cells meiosis

a difference in an inherited trait variation

a change in inheritable traits over time natural selection  

the alteration in the sequence of the genome of an organism mutation

usual number of chromosomes cell that contains half the usual number of chromosomes haploid cell  

process where a group of cells that were produced asexually (in a laboratory) and are genetically identical cloning

genetic trait that helps an organism survive in its environment; living organism adjusting to environmental changes adaptation

cell having two sets of chromosomes diploid cell  

one of many tiny structures in the cytoplasm that do a job for the cell organelle

contains a nucleus surrounded by a membrane eukaryote

study of how traits get passed down from generation to generation genetics

rod-shaped bodies that carry genetic code chromosome

the entire set of genes of an organism; a set of genes, single traits can be found using a Punnett square genotype

carries the information that determines your traits gene

the stronger gene that shows up in a trait if one allele is present dominant gene

having the same alleles for a trait homozygous (pure)

chart used to predict traits in an offspring Punnett square

the genetic material found in a cell DNA Deoxyribonucleic acid

process of cell division mitosis

to produce an offspring requires a process of meiosis and fertilization to produce an offspring sexual reproduction

the weaker, hidden gene for a trait; it only shows up if two alleles are present for a trait recessive gene

makes up the basic units of DNA and RNA molecules nucleotide base

reproductive cells gametes

process of combining male and female sex cells to produce a zygote fertilization

diploid cell produced by the joining of two haploid cells; a eukaryotic cell formed from fertilization zygote

female sex cell egg  

cell that contains no nucleus and is not surrounded by a membrane prokaryote

control center of a cell nucleus

type of asexual reproduction that occurs when an offspring grows from a piece of its parent regeneration

ability to maintain stability in an organism’s internal conditions homeostasis

the intention of producing an offspring with desirable traits selective breeding

a pyrimidine base contained in DNA that links with guanine cytosine  

a crystalline, purine base contained in DNA that pairs with cytosine guanine

a white, crystalline, purine base contained in DNA links with thymine adenine  

a white, crystalline, pyrimidine base contained in DNA that links with adenine thymine

serves as building blocks for proteins amino acid  

a group of three letters used to identify information contained in DNA codon