Share Unit 04 Genetics Vocabulary and Terms Practice
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Nature
Our GENETICS determine our behavior. Personality traits and abilities are in our "nature".
Nurture
Our ENVIRONMENT, upbringing, and life experiences determine our behavior. We are "nurtured" to behave in certain ways.
Genetics
Scientific study of heredity and how traits are passed down from one generation to the next.
Trait
physical characteristics used to describe an organism ex: color, height, size, shape, etc..
Genes
Contains the directions for what traits you have. They are formed by DNA. Tells cells what proteins to make.
Heredity
The passing of traits from parent to offspring
Offspring
A new organism produced by one or more parents
Variation
Any difference between individual offspring of the same species.
Chromosomes
A tiny, threadlike structure in a cell's nucleus that contains genetic material.
Alleles
Different forms of a gene. We use letters to express them. Ex: height (trait) TT ,Tt, tt
Punnett Square
A chart that shows all possible combinations of alleles.
homo-
same, alike, similar
Homozygous
two identical alleles for a trait - TT, tt
Heterozygous
two different alleles for a trait - Tt
Mutation
A change in a gene or chromosome that leads to new traits.
Dominant
A trait that always shows up if present. We use capital allele to represent.
