The field of genetics has a lot of fancy vocabulary that you need to learn to understand. Each word here has a corresponding image and definition. Click on each image to go to the dictionary definition of the word (Remember, this might not be the scientific definition!)
DNADNA, or Deoxyribonucleic Acid, is a chemical compound found in almost all living cells that builds the structure for the genes of the organism
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chromosomeA thread-like structure made up of proteins, nutrients, and of DNA that carries the genes in the nucleus of most living cells
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hereditythe passing of a trait or genes/DNA from parents to offspring or through generations
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inheritance patternAn inheritance pattern is the way a trait is passed down from parents to offspring, and the way the phenotype is shown in the offspring and organisms.
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dominantA gene that always “shows” if present, for example if there is a gene for brown eyes and blue eyes, the brown eye is what actually shows because it is the dominant gene. The dominant gene “overpowers” the recessive one.
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recessiveA gene that an organism needs to be the only gene present to “show”. For example, if there is 1 dominant gene and 1 recessive gene, the recessive one will not show, but will still be passed down. If the organism has 2 recessive genes, then it will “show”.
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genotypeThe entire genetic makeup of an organism, the organism’s DNA.
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phenotypeThe observable/observable effects of an organism’s genotype, what actually “shows” from the person’s genetic makeup
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punnett squareA diagram made by Reginald C. Punnett that shows the possible outcome of breeding, and what traits might result. It is a square divided in 4, with one parent’s genes on the top and one on the left, with the outcomes displayed at the intersection of each gene.
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codominanceAn inheritance pattern where both alleles show in the final phenotype
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incompete dominanceAn inheritance pattern where the phenotypes of both alleles mix to form the final phenotype
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sex-linkedAn inheritance pattern where the traits and phenotypes are gender-dependant and on allosomes (sex chromosomes)
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