Gametes
A cell that has all genetic information
Diploid
A cell that only has half of the genetic information
Zygote
The single cell that results after fertilization
Mitosis
Cell division that results in identical cells
Autosomes
Chromosomes that don't have sex characteristics
Homozygous
Alleles for a trait that are the same, dominant or recessive
Embryo
The group of cells after fertilization that grows into the organism
Haploid
The 4 daughter cells that result from meiosis
Heterozygous
Alleles for a trait that are different
Principle of Segregation
A rule stating that each gamete cell receives only one allele for each trait
Meiosis
Cell division that reduces the amount of DNA in half producing 4 daughter cells
DNA
a molecule made from nucleic acids that holds the instructions for all traits
Chromosome
Segments in the DNA that provide the instructions for our traits
Genotype
Different forms of the same gene - provides variation of traits
Genetics
The science of heredity - how we get our traits
Phenotype
Observed characteristics in an organism - what we see
Recessive Traits
Traits not seen often in a species
Allele
Organized structures made from DNA contained in the nucleus of cells
Genotype
Different forms of the same gene - provides variation of traits
Gregor Mendel
The scientist who helped us understand inheritance patterns
Dominant traits
Traits seen often in a species
Genes
Random letters assigned to a trait that describes the genetic plan for the individual