Vocabulary Notes:
Inheritance: passing of genetic information from one generation to the next
Father of Genetics: Gregor Mendel, performed experiments using pea plants
Cells:
Animal Cells
Cell Membrane
Nucleus (the center portion of the cell)
Organelles are also located inside the cell: they perform many function essential for
life.
DNA: inheritance messenger
Inside the nucleus:
Chromosomes: Look something like below. DNA is coiled into structures called
chromosomes. Come in pairs (2) 1 from mom, 1 from dad
Alleles: areas on chromosomes that hold specific genetic information
*Two alleles on the paired chromosomes work together = A GENE.
SO FAR:
1. nucleus contain chromosomes
2. chromosomes come in almost identical pairs
3. chromosomes have specific active locations called alleles
4. two alleles in identical locations on paired chromosomes constitute a gene
A gene controls a trait (ex. Fur color)
Genotype: combination of alleles in an organism chromosomes (we use uppercase
or lowercase letters to identify the alleles)
Dominant alleles: more influential alleles (represented by an uppercase letter)
Recessive alleles: less influential alleles (represented by a lowercase letter)
Genotype is how we identify phenotypes.
Phenotype: the way something looks (physical appearance)
*Organisms have unique genotype, composed of paired alleles on paired
chromosomes. Those genes produce unique traits in those organisms. The traits
that the genotype produces results in the organisms phenotype.