The language of genetics
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| locus | 基因座 | jī yīn zuò |
| dominant | 显性 | xiǎn xìng |
| recessive | 隐性 | yǐn xìng |
| codominant | 共显性 | gòng xiǎn xìng |
| genotype | 基因型 | jī yīn xíng |
| phenotype | 表现型 | biǎo xiàn xíng |
| homozygous | 纯合 | chún hé |
| heterozygous | 杂合 | zá hé |
| test cross | 测交 | cè jiāo |
Speaking the genetic language
- Genetics has precise terms you must use exactly.
- Get these right and every cross becomes easy.
- Let's build them up in groups.
Genetics vocabulary lab
Link each genetics word to the real feature it names.
Genes and alleles
- a gene is a length of DNA that codes for a protein; its position is its locus 基因座.
- an allele is one version of a gene.
- a dominant 显性 allele shows its effect with only one copy; a recessive 隐性 allele needs two copies.
- codominant 共显性 alleles both show together.
An allele is:
An allele is a version of a gene; its position on the chromosome is the locus.
A recessive allele:
A recessive allele is only expressed when homozygous; a dominant allele shows with a single copy.
Match each genetics term to its meaning.
Genotype is the alleles you carry; phenotype is what shows; an allele is a version of a gene at its locus.
Genotype 基因型 and phenotype 表现型
- the genotype is the alleles an organism has.
- the phenotype is the features you can see.
- homozygous 纯合 = the two alleles are the same; heterozygous 杂合 = they are different.
The observable features of an organism (what you can actually see) are its ______.
Phenotype = what shows; genotype = the alleles present (which, with the environment, decide the phenotype).
An organism that carries two different alleles of a gene is heterozygous.
Heterozygous = two different alleles; homozygous = two the same.
The test cross 测交
- A test cross finds an unknown genotype.
- You cross the organism with the recessive homozygote.
- The offspring reveal whether the unknown was homozygous or heterozygous.
A test cross finds an unknown genotype by crossing it with:
Crossing with the recessive homozygote reveals whether the unknown carries a recessive allele.
You've got it
- gene (codes a protein) at a locus; an allele is a version of it
- dominant shows with one copy; recessive needs two; codominant both show
- genotype = alleles you have; phenotype = features you see
- homozygous (same) vs heterozygous (different); test cross with the recessive homozygote finds an unknown genotype