Trait
A specific characteristic that an organism can pass to its offspring through its genes
Gene
A sequence of DNA that determines a trait and is passed from parent to offspring
Allele
The different forms of a gene. You inherit one allele from each parent for any given trait. We use letters to represent Alleles (Bb, Cc, Tt)
Dominant allele
An allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present. These are capital letters.
Recessive allele
If there is a dominant allele, the recessive allele is hidden. These are lowercase letters
Genotype
the genetic makeup of alleles of an organism
Phenotype
the physical appearance of an organism based on the alleles it is made up of
Pedigree
A record of your ancestors that shows/follows specific traits
Punnett Square
A diagram used to predict the outcome of traits that an individual may have
Co-Dominance
Both allele phenotypes are expressed. One allele is not dominant over the other one
Incomplete Dominance
The two different allele phenotypes are mixed. For example, red petal color and white petal color together make pink: Results in a new phenotype
Homozygous
Having 2 of the same alleles (two dominant or two recessive)
Heterozygous
Having 2 different alleles, one dominant and one recessive
Pleiotropy
One gene is responsible for many traits
Polygenic
A trait is controlled by many genes
Genetics
the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics
Heredity
the passing of physical characteristics from parents to offspring