heredity
the process through which traits are passed from parents to offspring
acquired trait
a trait that an organism develops after it is born
DNA
the molecule in which information that determines inherited traits is stored
chromosomes
short, thick coil of DNA
gene
a short segment of DNA that determines each trait of an organism
nucleotides
the basic units of DNA
replication
when a cell divides and makes an exact copy of its DNA
mutation
an error that occurs during the process of DNA replication
asexual reproduction
offspring are produced from one parent
hybrid
an organism that has two different genes for the same trait
dominant
trait that is expressed when an organism receives genes for two different forms of a trait
recessive
trait that is not expressed
selective breeding
that practice of breeding plants and animals for desirable traits
adaptation
any trait that helps an individual to survive in its environment