Share Fundamentals of Genetics and Heredity
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gene
Made up of DNA. Carry the information about the specific traits that are passed down.
DNA
The actual code or information about the traits.
chromosome
Made up of DNA, they tell the cell what to do.
Gregor Mendel
Father of genetics. He studied pea plants and learned traits were passed down.
allele
Specific sequence of DNA that relates to traits like hair or eye color.
nucleus
The brain of the cell. Contains the chromosomes that tell the cell what to do.
nucleotide
Make up DNA. There are 4 that combine in many different ways.
Watson & Crick
Discovered the double helix shape which helped scientists learn even more about DNA.
double helix
The shape of DNA. Looks like a twisted ladder.
heredity
When certain traits are passed down from one generation to the next.
dominant
When present, this trait will always be seen, like brown eyes.
recessive
This trait will only be seen if you have 2 matching genes of the same trait, like blue eyes.
genome
The complete set of instructions of DNA in the cell.
mutation
Accidents that occur when genes are passed down from parent to child.
variation
The traits you inherit mix and combine in different ways so we all look different from one another.
forensic
The use of DNA to help solve crimes.
