Term |
Definition |
characteristics |
Groups of qualities or features that help to set something apart from something else. |
gene |
A unit passed down from parent to child that holds information that determines certain characteristics of offspring. |
genetics |
The study of heredity and inherited characteristics. |
inherited trait |
A trait that is genetically passed down from parent to child. |
acquired trait |
A trait that you get or develop from the environment around you. |
trait |
A specific quality or attribute that typically sets something apart from something else. |
asexual reproduction |
Reproduction that only involves one parent. In this, the offspring shares the exact same genetic information as the parent. |
cell |
The smallest unit of life. |
clone |
An artificial method of reproducing an organism’s exact genetic information with only one parent. Not to be confused with asexual reproduction. |
mutation |
An unexplained inconsistency in the genes of an organism. Associated primarily with asexual reproduction. |
sexual reproduction |
Reproduction that involves two parents. In this, the offspring receives half of each parent’s genes. |
allele |
Two or more alternate forms of a gene or characteristic. |
dominant |
The gene that has a higher chance of appearing in offspring. |
recessive |
The “hidden trait” that has less of a chance of appearing in offspring. |
homozygous |
Two identical alleles. |
heterozygous |
Two different alleles. |
phenotype |
The physical appearance of an organism. |
genotype |
The genetic appearance of an organism. |
punnett square |
A diagram used to predict the outcome of a cross or breeding experiment. |