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Basics of Genetics and DNA

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Terms in this set (13)

  • What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

    Genotype is the genetic makeup or arrangement of genes. Phenotype is the observable physical characteristics resulting from the genotype.

  • What are dominant and recessive alleles?

    A dominant allele expresses its trait even if only one copy is present. A recessive allele only expresses its trait if two copies are present (homozygous recessive).

  • What is a Punnett square used for?

    A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the genotypic and phenotypic outcomes of a genetic cross, such as a monohybrid cross.

  • Who is known as the father of genetics and what was his study organism?

    Gregor Mendel is the father of genetics. He conducted research in an abbey garden using pea plants as his favorite study organism.

  • Define the terms: gene, allele, and locus.

    A gene is a DNA segment coding for a trait. An allele is a variant form of a gene. A locus is the specific location of a gene on a chromosome.

  • What do homozygous and heterozygous mean?

    Homozygous means having two identical alleles for a gene. Heterozygous means having two different alleles for a gene.

  • What are homologous chromosomes?

    Homologous chromosomes are pairs of chromosomes, one from each parent, that carry the same genes but may have different alleles.

  • What is the difference between the F1 and F2 generations?

    The F1 generation is the first filial generation from a cross of true-breeding parents. The F2 generation is the offspring from crossing individuals of the F1 generation.

  • What was the result when Mendel crossed a true-breeding purple flower pea plant with a white flower pea plant?

    All F1 offspring had purple flowers, showing purple is dominant over white.

  • How do alleles behave in incomplete dominance?

    In incomplete dominance, heterozygous individuals show a blend of both alleles' traits rather than one being fully dominant.

  • How do alleles behave in codominance?

    In codominance, both alleles are fully expressed simultaneously in the heterozygote.

  • What are transposable elements?

    Transposable elements are DNA sequences that can move or "jump" from one location to another within the genome.

  • Who is Barbara McClintock and what did she discover?

    Barbara McClintock discovered transposable elements (jumping genes) in maize, showing that genes can move within the genome.