Genetics

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  1. DNA
    material that carries genetic information in a cell
    The biological information contained in a genome is encoded in its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and is divided into discrete units called genes.
  2. RNA
    a nucleic acid that helps synthesize proteins and transmit genetic data
    Because mitochondria have their own DNA, RNA, and ribosomes, this scenario is quite possible.
  3. X chromosome
    the sex chromosome that is present in both sexes: singly in males and doubly in females
    There are numerous forms of this "repetitive DNA", and a few have known functions, such as stabilizing the chromosome structure or inactivating one of the two X chromosomes in developing females, a process called X-inactivation.
  4. amino acid
    organic compounds containing an amino group and acid group
    Proteins are long chains containing as many as 20 different kinds of amino acids.
  5. chromosome
    a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
    In 1909, Danish botanist Wilhelm Johanssen coined the word gene for the hereditary unit found on a chromosome.
  6. diploid
    an organism or cell having the normal amount of DNA per cell
    The term diploid describes a state in which a cell has two sets of homologous chromosomes, or two chromosomes that are the same.
  7. dominant gene
    gene that produces the same phenotype in the organism whether or not its allele identical
    Just how the dominant allele overshadows the other allele depends on the gene, but in some cases the dominant gene produces a gene product that the other allele does not.
  8. double helix
    the dual-stranded molecular structure of nucleic acids such as DNA
    The chemical nature of the bases in double-stranded DNA creates a slight twisting force that gives DNA its characteristic gently coiled structure, known as the double helix.
  9. eukaryotic
    having cells with `good' or membrane-bound nuclei
    This theory is also supported by the existence of a eukaryotic organism, called the amoeba, which lacks mitochondria.
  10. gamete
    a mature sexual reproductive cell
    This is because mitochondria are only found in the female gametes or "eggs" of sexually reproducing animals, not in the male gamete, or sperm.
  11. gene
    part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
    The biological information contained in a genome is encoded in its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and is divided into discrete units called genes.
  12. heterozygous
    having dissimilar alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
    If the alleles are different, they are said to be heterozygous.
  13. homozygous
    having identical alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
    If both alleles are the same, the gene is said to be homozygous.
  14. meiosis
    cell division that produces reproductive cells
    Meiosis is the mode of cell replication for the formation of sperm and egg cells in plants, animals, and many other multicellular life forms.
  15. mutant
    an animal that has undergone mutation
    The individual in whom such a nonpenetrant mutant gene exists will be phenotypically normal but still capable of passing the deleterious gene on to offspring, who may exhibit the full-blown disease.
  16. mutation
    a change or alteration in form or qualities
    There are many diseases caused by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA).
  17. nucleic acid
    (biochemistry) any of various macromolecules composed of nucleotide chains that are vital constituents of all living cells
    In a DNA chain, every base is attached to a sugar molecule (deoxyribose) and a phosphate molecule, resulting in a nucleic acid or nucleotide.
  18. nucleotide
    a phosphoric ester of a nucleoside
    In a DNA chain, every base is attached to a sugar molecule (deoxyribose) and a phosphate molecule, resulting in a nucleic acid or nucleotide.
  19. phenotype
    observable characteristics produced by genes and environment
    When two individuals display different phenotypes of the same trait, they are said to have two different alleles for the same gene.
  20. recessive
    of or pertaining to a recession
    These factors each exhibit a characteristic dominant, co-dominant, or recessive expression, and those that are dominant will mask the expression of those that are recessive.
  21. sex chromosome
    a chromosome that determines the sex of an individual
    A particularly important category of genetic linkage has to do with the X and Y sex chromosomes.
  22. somatic cell
    a cell that does not participate in reproduction
    Mutations that occur in somatic cells-any cell in the body except gametes and their precursors-will not be passed on to the next generation.
  23. trait
    a distinguishing feature of your personal nature
    Another way to think of genomic imprinting is as "parent of origin differences" in the expression of inherited traits.
Created on Sun Nov 20 23:22:22 EST 2011 (updated Mon Nov 21 00:30:43 EST 2011)

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