Genetics Vocabulary

What is genetics?  It is the study of how traits are passed on from parent to offspring.

 Heredity: the passing of traits from parents to offspring(children)  Our parents pass on to us the color of our hair, eyes, height, etc.  Sometimes you might have curly hair even though both parents have straight hair. Why?  Heredity: the passing of traits from parents to offspring(children)  Our parents pass on to us the color of our hair, eyes, height, etc.  Sometimes you might have curly hair even though both parents have straight hair. Why?

What is asexual reproduction?  Asexual Reproduction- when only one parent is needed.  Offspring is genetically identical (the same) as the parent.  Asexual Reproduction- when only one parent is needed.  Offspring is genetically identical (the same) as the parent. Starfish BacteriaSpider Plant

What is sexual reproduction?  The combination of two parent cells to make an offspring  When genetic material (male and female)combine to make offspring  The combination of two parent cells to make an offspring  When genetic material (male and female)combine to make offspring The joining of a sperm and egg to sexually reproduce offspring

 Self-pollinating plant- has both male and female reproductive structures  Pollen from one flower or plant can fertilize the eggs of the same flower or the eggs of another flower of the same plant  Self-pollinating plant- has both male and female reproductive structures  Pollen from one flower or plant can fertilize the eggs of the same flower or the eggs of another flower of the same plant It can pollinate another flower or itself

 True-breeding plant: plant will always produce offspring with the same trait the parent plant has.  Example: A true-breeding plant with yellow flowers will always have offspring with yellow flowers.  True-breeding plant: plant will always produce offspring with the same trait the parent plant has.  Example: A true-breeding plant with yellow flowers will always have offspring with yellow flowers.

What is a gene?  Genes: segments of DNA on a chromosome that control inherited traits  It tells you your hair color, eye color etc.  Genes: segments of DNA on a chromosome that control inherited traits  It tells you your hair color, eye color etc.

What is an allele?  Alleles: a letter that is used to represent a genetic trait  Each gene is represented by two alleles or two letters (one from each parent)  Ex. Hair color- one allele from mother and one from the father  Brown hair is represented by a B and blond hair is represented by a b.  Alleles: a letter that is used to represent a genetic trait  Each gene is represented by two alleles or two letters (one from each parent)  Ex. Hair color- one allele from mother and one from the father  Brown hair is represented by a B and blond hair is represented by a b.

 Genotype: letter representation of a trait  You cant see it!  Ex. E – dark colored eyes e – blue eyes H – straight hair h – curly hair  Phenotype: What the trait looks like  You can use your five senses to see it.  Ex. You can see the color of your hair.  Genotype: letter representation of a trait  You cant see it!  Ex. E – dark colored eyes e – blue eyes H – straight hair h – curly hair  Phenotype: What the trait looks like  You can use your five senses to see it.  Ex. You can see the color of your hair.

 Dominant Trait: It is a gene/trait that always shows up.  It always takes over.  It is represented by a CAPITAL LETTER.  Examples: Brown eyes – B  Freckles – F  Recessive Trait: A RECESSIVE trait is a gene/trait that is hidden when the dominant gene is present.  It only shows up when it is by itself.  It is represented by a lower case letter.  Examples: Blue eyes – b  No freckles – f  Dominant Trait: It is a gene/trait that always shows up.  It always takes over.  It is represented by a CAPITAL LETTER.  Examples: Brown eyes – B  Freckles – F  Recessive Trait: A RECESSIVE trait is a gene/trait that is hidden when the dominant gene is present.  It only shows up when it is by itself.  It is represented by a lower case letter.  Examples: Blue eyes – b  No freckles – f

What are Homozygous Alleles? same alleles Homozygous means having the same alleles for one gene. Examples: Brown eyes – BB Blue eyes - bb Freckles – FF Straight hair - hh

What are Heterozygous Alleles? different alleles Heterozygous means having the different alleles for one gene. Examples: Brown eyes – Bb Freckles - Ff

What is a punnet square?  Punnett Square: It is a genetic diagram that helps scientist to predict the chances of getting a certain trait.

What is probability?  Probability: the mathematical chance that an event will happen  Probablility is used in genetics to see the chance that a certain traits will occur.  Ex. The probability that you were going to be born a female was 50%  Probability: the mathematical chance that an event will happen  Probablility is used in genetics to see the chance that a certain traits will occur.  Ex. The probability that you were going to be born a female was 50%