Genetics Vocabulary Foldable

Chromosome
Are in pairs
23 chromosomes come from the mother and 23 come
from the father for a total of 46.

Gene
a message or a code for a trait
pieces of information on DNA found in chromosomes
most traits are determined by more than one gene.

Trait
a feature or characteristic such as eye color, hair
color, shape of eyes, etc.

Allele
different forms of a gene or trait
Example: CC cleft chin (dominant)
Cc cleft chin (dominant)
cc smooth chin (recessive)
allele allele
Dominant
A trait that is expressed or shown whenever one
allele for that trait is present. (CC or Cc)

Recessive
A trait that is hidden or not shown
Both recessive alleles must be present to be
expressed (cc)
Phenotype
Physical appearance of a trait
Examples: tall, short, brown, blue

Genotype
The genes that are present
Examples: TT, Tt, tt

Homozygous
Two of the same alleles
Examples: TT (homozygous dominant)
tt (homozygous recessive)
Heterozygous
Two different alleles
Example: Tt (heterozygous dominant)

Gregor Mendel
Known as the Father of Genetics
First to describe the pattern of inherited traits

Punnett Square
A tool used to predict the probability of certain
traits
Shows different ways alleles can combine