Download The Story of Genetics

The Story of Genetics
It takes two, to make one!
Vocabulary List
•
Heredity – The passing of traits from parents
to offspring.
•
Trait – is a characteristic that is inherited.
Gene
One set of instructions for an inherited trait from each of
your parents.
Allele
It takes 2 genes to control a trait. One from the male
and one from the female. The combination of the 2
genes control characteristics.
Genotype
The genetic makeup of an organism. The
combination of genes for one or more specific
traits.
Genotype
Phenotype
The appearance or detectable characteristic of an
organism. The physical expression of the
genotype.
Dominant
The trait that is observed. When this
gene is present it is what will show.
B-brown eyes
b-blue eyes
BB or Bb
Recessive
The less dominant trait. The trait that reappears in
the 2nd generation when parents of different traits
are bred. Need to have 2 alleles the same for this
to show.
B-brown
eyes
b-blue eyes
bb
Homozygous or Purebred
Like alleles create the trait both alleles are dominant or
both are recessive
or
Heterozygous or Hybrid
The alleles responsible for the trait are different,
one dominant and one recessive.
•
Self-pollinating plant - Contains both male and
female reproductive structures. It can fertilize itself.
•
True-breeding plant – a plant that always produces
offspring with the same traits as the parent.
•
Genes – pieces of DNA
that carry hereditary
instructions. They are
found on
chromosomes.