| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| homologous chromosomes | members of a chromosome pair |
| chromatin | the mixture of DNA and protein that makes up a chromosome |
| centromere | the point where the sister chromatids are attached |
| genetic engineering | the process in which genes or parts of DNA, are transferred from one organism to another |
| heredity | the passing of traits from parents to offspring |
| recombinant DNA | a DNA molecule formed by combining pieces of DNA from more than one species |
| clone | a group of genetically identical cells that usually contains identical recombinant DNA molecules |
| GMO | a living thing whose DNA has been altered by the addition or deletion of genes |
| nucleotide | the combination of a nitrogen base, sugar, and phosphate molecules that form a subunit of the DNA chain |
| inbreeding | the mating of closely related individuals |
| RNA | a nucleic acid made up of nucleotides that contain ribose as the sugar rather that the deoxyribose found in DNA |
| plasmids | small loops of DNA that exist in bacteria along with the typical long strands of chromosomal DNA |
| genome | all of the genetic material of an organism |
| replication | the process in which DNA molecules make exact duplicates |
| recessive trait | the weaker of the two traits, written as a lowercase letter |
| purebred | bred from parents of the same breed or variety |
| transgenic | of, relating to, or containing a gene or genes transferred from another species: |
