 | Term | Definition |
| |
Punnett square |
A chart that can be used to determine the possible outcomes for the offspring between two parents |
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Homozygous |
Both alleles for a gene are the same; trait is always seen |
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Heterozygous |
Two alleles for a gene are different; one allele is usually dominant and this one is expressed; the recessive allele is not expressed |
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Genotype |
The genetic make-up of a person |
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Phenotype |
Physical characteristics of an organism due to the genes that it has |
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Autosomes |
All non-sex chromosomes |
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Sex chromosomes |
23 pair that determines sex; females have two X chromosomes, males have one X and one Y chromosome |
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Dominance/recessive inheritance |
Based on interaction of dominant and recessive alleles |
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Dominant alleles |
Traits that include: A. tongue rolling B. widow's peak C. Free (unattached) ear lobe D. interlocking fingers with left thumb on top E. hair on middle segment of finger F. Straight thumb (not "hitchhickers") |
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Huntington's disease |
A genetic disorder caused by a dominant alle; caused by a delayed action gene not expressed until age 30 or 40; symptoms are fatal and include mental deterioration, uncontrolled movements, loss of intellectual faculties, and emotional disturbance |
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Cystic fibrosis |
Genetic disorder caused by recessive alleles; symptoms include buildup of mucous in the lungs; 1 in 3,500 |
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Phenylketonuria |
Caused by recessive alleles; inability to break down phenylalanine - leads to poor mental development |
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