Heredity and Traits Flashcards

Grade 6 · Science · Flashcards

Review key genetics vocabulary including genes, alleles, genotypes, and inheritance patterns.

Flashcards

Heredity: The biological process of passing traits from parents to offspring.
Genetics: The branch of biology that studies heredity and variation in organisms.
DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that carries genetic instructions for the development of all living things.
Chromosome: A thread-like structure of DNA and protein in the cell nucleus; humans have 46 (23 pairs).
Gene: A specific segment of DNA that codes for a particular trait or protein.
Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene; inherited one from each parent.
Dominant allele: An allele that is expressed in the phenotype whenever it is present.
Recessive allele: An allele expressed only when two copies are present (homozygous recessive).
Genotype: The allele combination for a trait (e.g., BB, Bb, bb).
Phenotype: The observable trait resulting from the genotype (e.g., brown eyes, tall plant).
Homozygous: Having two identical alleles for a trait (BB or bb).
Heterozygous: Having two different alleles for a trait (Bb).
Punnett square: A grid used to predict offspring genotype and phenotype ratios from a genetic cross.
Gregor Mendel: 19th-century monk who discovered the laws of inheritance through pea plant experiments; Father of Genetics.