Terminologies in Genetics
 Genetics- is the study of
heredity and variation
 Cell Division- cellular level of
reproduction
 Mitosis- type of cell division
produces two identical cells
with the same number of
chromosomes
 Meiosis- special type of cell
division where the cell
undergoes two rounds of cell
division to produce four
daughter cells
 Chromosomes- formed when
the DNA are bound with
proteins and are organized as
beads on strings
 Interphase- the period that
follows one cell division
 Chromatin- the chromosomes
are long and extended
 Heterochromatin- darkly
staining region of the
chromosome
 Euchromatin- lightly staining
region of the chromosome
 Kinetochore- each fiber binds
to a protein
 Cytokinesis- is the division of
the cytoplasm
 Gametes- sex cells
 Gametogenesis- a process
where the sex cells or gametes
were formed
 Crossing-over- process where
exchange of genetic material
 Leptotene- made up of two
long threads of sister
chromatids
 Zygotene- the chromosomes
begin to pair off
 Pachytene- the chromosomes
contract due to repeated
coiling
 Homologous- pair of
chromosomes
 Chiasma- the formation of a
cross-linkage of the segments
 Diplotene- the chromosomes
begin to uncoil
 Diakinesis- the paired
chromosomes disperse in n the
nucleus
 Diploid- having two haploids
 Spermatozoa- sperm cell
 Dominant trait- a trait that
dominates the other
 Recessive trait- its appearance
was either prevented or hidden
by the dominant trait
 Principle of Dominance- The
dominant trait dominates or
prevents the expression of the
recessive trait
 Law of Segregation- The pair
of genes segregate or separate
from each other during gamete
formation
 Genotype- the two alleles at a
single genetic marker
 Homozygous- have alleles that
are identical
 Phenotype- the visible physical
traits of an organism
 Heterozygous- an individual
with contrasting alleles
 Self-fertilization- when self-
fertilized, homozygotes always
produce pure-breeding plants
 Dihybrid cross- cross of two
individuals that differ in two
traits
 Incomplete Dominance- two
alleles for the same gene can
complete conceal the presence
of the other
 Codominance- occurs when
two different alleles for a trait
are both dominant
 Centromere- two chromatids
produced from one
chromosome are attached at
one point
 Allele- traits were controlled by
a pair of genes
 Gene- a hereditary unit
consisting of a sequence of
DNA that occupies a specific
location on a chromosome
 Mutation- is the permanent
alteration in the gene
sequence
 Filial generation- offspring of
the cross of the parental
generation
 Monohybrid- cross of two
individuals that differ in one
trait
 Testcross- cross of an
individual of unknown
genotype with a homozygous
recessive individual
 Punnett square- simple grid
used to illustrate all possible
combinations of genetic
crosses