Inheritance key words
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| alleles | 等位基因 | děng wèi jī yīn |
| dominant | 显性 | xiǎn xìng |
| recessive | 隐性 | yǐn xìng |
| genotype | 基因型 | jī yīn xíng |
| phenotype | 表现型 | biǎo xiàn xíng |
| homozygous | 纯合子 | chún hé zǐ |
| heterozygous | 杂合子 | zá hé zǐ |
The language of inheritance
- To understand how characteristics pass from parents to children, you need the right words.
- A few key terms unlock all of genetics.
An allele is:
Alleles are different versions of a gene.
A dominant allele:
One dominant allele is enough to show the trait.
An allele that only shows its effect when two copies are present is ______.
A recessive trait needs a homozygous recessive genotype.
Alleles 等位基因, dominant 显性 and recessive 隐性
- A gene can have different versions called alleles.
- A dominant allele shows its effect even if only one copy is present; a recessive allele shows only with two copies.
DNA carries inherited information in its double-helix structure
Predicting a genetic cross
A Punnett square shows the possible combinations of alleles offspring can inherit from two parents.
The genotype of an organism is:
Genotype = the alleles; phenotype = the visible trait.
Match each genetics word to its meaning.
Alleles are gene versions; genotype is what alleles you have, phenotype is what shows.
Genotype 基因型 and phenotype 表现型
- Genotype: the alleles an organism has (e.g. Bb).
- Phenotype: the characteristic you can see (e.g. brown eyes).
A heterozygous genotype has:
Heterozygous = two different alleles.
Homozygous 纯合子 and heterozygous 杂合子
- Homozygous: two same alleles (BB or bb).
- Heterozygous: two different alleles (Bb).
A recessive trait needs two recessive alleles. A single recessive allele is hidden by a dominant one. The recessive characteristic only appears in a homozygous recessive genotype (e.g. bb).
You've got it
- a gene has versions called alleles; dominant shows with one copy, recessive needs two
- genotype = the alleles (Bb); phenotype = the visible characteristic
- homozygous = two same alleles; heterozygous = two different