Inheritance vocabulary
Task
Use the definitions to fill in the missing keywords. The keywords go down in alphabetical order.
Keyword
Definition
Different forms of the same gene sometimes referred to as variants.
(7)
Involves only one individual and the offspring is identical to the
parent. There is no fusion of gametes or mixing of genetic
information. (7,12)
Individuals who are heterozygous for a recessive allele linked to a
genetic disorder. Carriers have one healthy allele so are not affected
themselves but they can pass on the affected allele to their
offspring. (8)
An inherited disorder that affects the lungs, digestive, and
reproductive system and is inherited through a recessive allele. (6,8)
The molecule that is abbreviated to DNA. The genetic code is the
sequence of nitrogenous bases A, C, T and G within the DNA
molecules. (16,4)
The phenotype will be apparent in the offspring even if only one of
the alleles is inherited. (8,6)
A haploid sex cell. (6)
The process by which scientists can modify the genome of an
organism by introducing a gene from another organism to give a
desired characteristic. (7,11)
The genetic makeup of an individual for a particular characteristic,
for example eye colour. (8)
Individual with different alleles for a characteristic. (12)
Individual with two identical alleles for a characteristic. (10)
Two stage process of cell division that reduces the chromosome
number of daughter cells. It is involved in making gametes for sexual
reproduction. (7)
A change in the genetic material of an organism. (8)
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Inheritance vocabulary
The process by which evolution takes place. Organisms produce more
offspring than the environment can support. Only those that are
most suited to their environment will survive to breed and pass on
their useful characteristics to their offspring. (7,9)
A molecule made up of a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four
different bases. They are key units in the structure of DNA and RNA.
(10)
The physical appearance/biochemistry of an individual for a
particular characteristic. (9)
A dominant inherited disorder that results in babies born with extra
fingers and/or toes. (11)
A way of modelling a genetic cross and predicting the outcome using
probability. (7,6)
A phenotype that will only show up in the offspring if both of the
alleles coding for that characteristic are inherited. (9)
Speeds up natural selection by selecting animals or plants for
breeding that have a required characteristic. (9,8)
X and Y in humans, the combination of these chromosomes
determines the gender of an individual. (3,11)
Involves the fusion of male and female gametes’ nuclei producing
genetic variation in the offspring. (6,12)
A modern way of cloning plants that allows thousands of new plants
to be created from one piece of plant tissue. (6,7)
Smaller than the X chromosome, only one copy of this in each diploid
cell is required to cause a male human. (1,10)
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Inheritance vocabulary
Answers
Alleles - different forms of the same gene sometimes referred to as variants.
Asexual reproduction - involves only one individual and the offspring is identical to the parent.
There is no fusion of gametes or mixing of genetic information.
Carriers - individuals who are heterozygous for a recessive allele linked to a genetic disorder.
Carriers have one healthy allele so are not affected themselves but they can pass on the affected
allele to their offspring.
Cystic fibrosis - an inherited disorder that affects the lungs, digestive, and reproductive system and
is inherited through a recessive allele.
Deoxyribonucleic acid - the molecule that is abbreviated to DNA. The genetic code is the sequence
of nitrogenous bases A, C, T and G within the DNA molecules.
Dominant allele - the phenotype will be apparent in the offspring even if only one of the alleles is
inherited.
Gamete - a haploid sex cell.
Genetic engineering - the process by which scientists can modify the genome of an organism by
introducing a gene from another organism to give a desired characteristic.
Genotype - the genetic makeup of an individual for a particular characteristic, for example eye
colour.
Heterozygote - individual with different alleles for a characteristic.
Homozygote - individual with two identical alleles for a characteristic.
Meiosis - two stage process of cell division that reduces the chromosome number of daughter cells. It
is involved in making gametes for sexual reproduction.
Mutation - a change in the genetic material of an organism.
Natural selection - the process by which evolution takes place. Organisms produce more offspring
than the environment can support. Only those that are most suited to their environment will survive
to breed and pass on their useful characteristics to their offspring.
Nucleotide - a molecule made up of a sugar, a phosphate group, and one of four different bases.
They are key units in the structure of DNA and RNA.
Phenotype - the physical appearance / biochemistry of an individual for a particular characteristic.
Polydactyly - a dominant inherited disorder that results in babies born with extra fingers and/or
toes.
Punnett square - a way of modelling a genetic cross and predicting the outcome using probability.
Recessive - a phenotype that will only show up in the offspring if both of the alleles coding for that
characteristic are inherited.
Selective breeding - speeds up natural selection by selecting animals or plants for breeding that
have a required characteristic.
Sex chromosomes - X and Y in humans, the combination of these chromosomes determines the
gender of an individual.
Sexual reproduction - involves the fusion of male and female gametes’ nuclei producing genetic
variation in the offspring.
Tissue culture - a modern way of cloning plants that allows thousands of new plants to be created
from one piece of plant tissue.
Y chromosome - smaller than the X chromosome, only one copy of this in each diploid cell is
required to cause a male human.
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