Chapter 8 Vocabulary - Genetics and Heredity

the passing of physical characteristics from parents to offspring. 

a specific characteristic (ex. seed color, or plant height)

the scientific study of heredity.

when egg and sperm cells join together to create a new organism. 

factors that control a trait

 are the different forms of a gene

 allele whose trait always shows up in the organism when the allele is present. 

allele that is “hidden” whenever the dominant allele is present. 

an organism that has two different alleles for a trait.  

the offspring of many generations that have the same form of  a trait.  (i.e.  have two identical alleles for a trait)

 a number that describes how likely it is that an event will occur.   (written as a fraction/ratio/or percent) 

a chart that shows all the possible ways alleles can combine in a genetic cross.

an organism’s physical appearance, or visible traits.

 an organism’s genetic make-up, or alleles.

(The different forms of a gene.)

when an organism has two identical alleles for a trait.

when an organism has two different alleles for a trait.