Word

Alleles
Amino acid
Blended Theory

Definition
Different type of gene. May give a different
action, as its structure is different to a gene.
Small molecules that make up the proteins.
Composed of Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen
Nitrogen.
An incorrect 19th century theory about the
inheritance of characteristics. It proposed
that inherited traits blend from generation to
generation. Through his plant crossbreeding
experiments, Gregor Mendel proved that this
was wrong.

Carrier

An individual who is heterozygous for a trait

that only shows up in the phenotype of those
who are homozygous recessive. Carriers often
do not show any signs of the trait but can pass
it on to their offspring.

Chromosomes

Thread-like, gene-carrying bodies in the

nucleus of a cell. Chromosomes are composed
primarily of DNA and protein. They are visible
only under magnification during certain stages
of cell division. Humans have 46 chromosomes
in each somatic cell and 23 in each sex cell.

Dominant allele

An allele that masks the presence of

a recessive allele in the phenotype. Dominant
alleles for a trait are usually expressed if an
individual is homozygous dominant or
heterozygous.

DNA

A large organic molecule that stores the

genetic code for the synthesis of proteins. DNA
is composed of sugars, phosphates and bases
arranged in a double helix shaped molecular
structure. Segments of DNA
in chromosomes correspond to specific genes.

Deoxyribonucleic
acid

Evolution

Genetic change in a population of organisms

that occurs over time. The term is also
frequently used to refer to the appearance of a
new species.

Gene pool

All of the genes in all of the individuals in a

breeding population. More precisely, it is the
collective genotype
A genotype consisting of two different alleles of

Heterozygous

a gene for a particular trait (Aa). Individuals

who are heterozygous for a trait are referred to
as heterozygotes. See homozygous.

Homozygous

Having the same allele at the same locus on

both members of a pair of homologous
chromosomes. Homozygous also refers to
a genotype consisting of two identical alleles of
a gene for a particular trait. An individual may
be homozygous dominant (AA) or homozygous
recessive (aa). Individuals who are
homozygous for a trait are referred to as
homozygotes. See heterozygous.

Huntington
disease

A severe genetically inherited fatal

degenerative nerve disorder. The symptoms
usually do not appear until early middle age.
There is a progressive loss of muscle control
that inevitably leads to paralysis and death.
This disease is also called Huntington's chorea

Meiosis

Cell division in specialized tissues of ovaries

and testes that results in the production
of sperm or ova. Meiosis involves two divisions
and results in four daughter cells, each
containing only half the original number of
chromosomes--23 in the case of humans.

Mendelian
genetics

Inheritance patterns which can be explained by

simple rules
of dominance and recessiveness of genes.

Monozygotic twin

Identical twins. Twins that come from the

same zygote are essentially the same
genetically. Differences between monozygotic
twins later in life are virtually always the result
of environmental influences rather than genetic
inheritance. Fraternal twins may look similar
but are not genetically identical

Mutation

An alteration of genetic material such that a

new variation is produced. For instance, a trait
that has only one allele (A) can mutate to a
new form (a). This is the only mechanism
of evolution that can produce new alleles of a
gene.

Phenotype

The observable or detectable characteristics of

an individual organism--the detectable
expression of a genotype.

Proteins

Any of a large number of complex organic

molecules that are composed of one or more
chains of amino acids. Proteins can serve a
wide variety of functions through their ability to
bind to other molecules. Proteins may be
enzymes, hormones, antibodies, structural
components, or gas-transporting molecules

Punnett Square

A simple graphical method of showing all of the

potential combinations of
offspring genotypes that can occur and their
probability given the parent genotypes. See
example below. Punnet squares are commonly
used by genetics counsellors to predict the
odds of a couple passing on particular inherited
traits.

Recessive Allele

An allele that is masked in the phenotype by

the presence of a dominant allele. Recessive
alleles are expressed in the phenotype when
the genotype is homozygous recessive (aa).

Sex cell

A gamete, either a sperm or an ovum. Sex

cells are produced by the meiosis process.
See somatic cell.

Sex-controlled
gene

A gene that can be inherited by both genders

but is usually expressed differently in males
and females. See sex-limited gene.

Sex-limited gene

A gene that can be inherited by both genders

but is usually expressed in only males or
females. See sex-controlled gene.

Sperm

A male sex cell or gamete

Stuttering alleles

Defective alleles that have segments which are

doubled in their transmission from generation
to generation. In the case of genetically
inherited diseases, the result is increasingly
severe symptoms each generation. The
myotonic form of muscular dystrophy is an
example. Stuttering alleles are also known as
unstable alleles.

Unit inheritance

Gregor Mendel's idea that the characteristics of

parents are passed on to descendants
unchanged as units. In other words, the
hereditary material of any organism is made up
of discrete units (now called genes).

X-linked

Referring to a gene that is carried by an X sex

chromosome.

Zygote

A "fertilized" ovum. More precisely, this is a

cell that is formed when a sperm and an ovum
combine their chromosomes at conception. A
zygote contains the full complement of
chromosomes (in humans 46) and has the
potential of developing into an entire organism.