Genetics vocabulary handout

Genetics Vocabulary

1. Allele — alternative forms of a gene for each variation of a trait of an organism
2. Diploid — cell with two of each kind of chromosome; is said to contain a diploid, or 2n, number of chromosomes
4. Dominant — observed trait of an organism that mask the recessive form of a trait
5. Egg — haploid female sex cell produced by meiosis
6. Fertilization — fusion of male and female gametes
7. Gamete — male and female sex cells, sperm and eggs
8. Genetic recombination — major source of genetic variation among organisms caused by re-assortment or crossing over during meiosis
9. Genetics — branch of biology that studies heredity
10. Genotype — combination of genes in an organism
11. Haploid — cell with one of each kind of chromosome; is said to contain a haploid or n, number of chromosomes.
12. Heredity — passing on of characteristics from parents to offspring
13. Heterozygous — when there are two different alleles for a trait
14. Homologous chromosome — paired chromosomes with genes fro the same traits arranged in the same order.
15. Homozygous — when there are two identical alleles for a trait
16. Hybrid — offspring formed by parents having different forms of a specific trait.
19. Meiosis — type of cell division where one body cell produces for gametes, each containing half the number of chromosomes in a parent’s body.

21. Phenotype — outward appearance of an organism, regardless of its genes.
23. Recessive — trait of an organism that can be masked by the dominant form of a trait
24. Sexual reproduction — pattern of reproduction that involves the production of subsequent fusion of haploid cells.
25. Sperm — haploid male sex cells produced by meiosis
26. Trait — characteristic that is inherited; can be either dominant or recessive
27. Zygote — diploid cell formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg.