- a form or version of a gene; an individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent
C
cells
- the very small units that make up all living things, specialized to do different jobs
characteristic
- a feature such as eye color, hair color, nose shape, or special skills that describe an organism
chromosome
- structures inside each cell nucleus made up of DNA; humans have 23 pairs in each cell, half from each parent
clone
- to produce an exact genetic copy of an individual organism
conserve
- protect or save
D
DNA
- deoxyribonucleic acid: a long, twisted molecule within each cell that contains instructions for cell growth and development
dominant
- the version (allele) of a trait that is stronger; when an organism received a dominant and a recessive allele from its two parents, the dominant version will be expressed
double helix
- the shape of a DNA molecule; looks like a twisted ladder
E
endangered
- rare, in danger of becoming extinct
F
forensic
- using science to solve crimes
G
gene therapy
- an experimental technique where a defective gene is replaced by a healthy gene in an organism's cells
generation
- a single step in the line of descent within a family; Grandparents, parents, and children make up three generations
genes
- units of heredity contained in chromosomes; sections of DNA that carry instructions for making proteins and information that determine specific traits
genetic modification
- using technology to alter the genetic makeup of an organism
geneticist
- Scientist who studies genetics
genetics
- the science that studies how traits are passed from one generation to another
genome
- all the DNA in a cell, including all the genes
genotype
- the genetic sequence that is expressed as a specific trait
H
heterozygous
- inheriting different forms of a particular gene from each of two parents
homozygous
- inheriting identical forms of a particular gene from each of two parents
I
inherited trait
- a trait passed on from the parent organism to offspring
instinct
- a behavior that an organism is born with and does not have to be learned
M
monk
- A member of a special religious group who lives with other monks and devotes his life to service or learning
mutation
- a change in the lineup of DNA instructions, causing the instructions to the cell to change
N
nucleotides
- four kinds of molecules (building blocks)that when joined together make up DNA
nucleus
- a structure inside a cell that acts as the boss of the cell and tells it what to do. Contains chromosomes and genes.
O
offspring
- the children of the parent organism
organism
- any living thing made of cells
P
phenotype
- an observable expression of a trait, such as blue eyes, red hair, or blood type
population
- all organisms of the same species living in a particular environment or area
proteins
- structure made inside cells according to instructions in DNA, that do most of the work of the body
R
recessive
- The version (allele) of a trait that is weaker; two recessive alleles must be present for the trait to be expressed
S
side effects
- unintended results from a scientific experiment
T
traits
- features or characteristics of a species or organism
U
unique
- one of a kind, exactly like nothing else
V
variation
- diversity in gene expression or frequencies; differences between individuals or populations
