Book A Ch 5 Spelling/Voc. Test

Heredity refers to the passing of traits from one generation to another. It is the process by which offspring inherit genetic information from their parents, including physical characteristics, behavioral traits, and susceptibility to certain diseases. This transfer of genetic material occurs through the transmission of DNA from parent to offspring during reproduction. Heredity plays a crucial role in determining an individual's traits and is responsible for the similarities and differences observed within a family or species.

The term "recombinant DNA" refers to the process of inserting DNA into bacteria. This involves combining DNA from different sources to create a new DNA molecule. By inserting this recombinant DNA into bacteria, scientists can manipulate the genetic makeup of the bacteria and create genetically modified organisms. This technique has numerous applications in biotechnology and genetic engineering, allowing scientists to produce valuable proteins, study gene function, and develop new treatments and therapies.

The correct answer is genetics, genetic. The question is asking for the study of inheritance, which is a field of study in genetics. Genetics is the broader term that encompasses the study of genes, heredity, and variation in organisms. Genetic, on the other hand, is an adjective that describes something related to genetics. Therefore, both genetics and genetic are correct answers in this context.

A sex-linked gene refers to an allele that is located on a sex chromosome. In humans, sex chromosomes are either X or Y, with females having two X chromosomes (XX) and males having one X and one Y chromosome (XY). When a gene is located on the sex chromosome, it can exhibit different inheritance patterns in males and females. This is because males only have one copy of the X chromosome, so any allele on the X chromosome will be expressed, whether it is dominant or recessive. In contrast, females have two copies of the X chromosome, so the presence of a dominant allele on one X chromosome can mask the expression of a recessive allele on the other X chromosome.

A recessive trait is a trait that is hidden or masked by a dominant trait. In genetics, traits are determined by genes, and each gene has two copies, one from each parent. If the recessive gene is present, it will only be expressed if there is no dominant gene present. This means that the recessive trait will only be visible if both copies of the gene are recessive. Therefore, a recessive trait can remain hidden or not expressed in an individual if there is a dominant gene present.

The term "probability" refers to the likelihood or chance that a particular event will occur. It is a measure of the uncertainty associated with an outcome. In statistics and mathematics, probability is expressed as a number between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates impossibility and 1 indicates certainty. By calculating probabilities, we can make predictions and analyze the likelihood of different outcomes in various situations.

The term "genotype" refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, which includes the specific combination of genes that an individual possesses. It is responsible for determining various traits and characteristics of an organism, such as its physical appearance, behavior, and susceptibility to certain diseases. The genotype is inherited from the organism's parents and remains constant throughout its life, although it may not always be expressed in the phenotype (observable traits).

Gene therapy is a treatment method that involves introducing a normal allele into a virus. This is done to deliver the normal allele into the patient's cells, where it can replace or correct a faulty or mutated gene. By using a virus as a carrier, the normal allele can be efficiently delivered to the target cells and potentially restore normal gene function. Gene therapy holds promise for treating genetic disorders and other diseases caused by faulty genes.

Phenotype refers to the physical appearance or characteristics of an organism that are determined by its genotype. It includes observable traits such as height, eye color, and hair texture. The genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, which consists of the specific combination of genes inherited from its parents. The phenotype is the manifestation of these genes in the form of physical traits. Therefore, the correct answer is phenotype.

In incomplete dominance, both alleles are expressed in the offspring. This means that neither allele is completely dominant over the other, resulting in a blending or intermediate phenotype. Unlike in complete dominance where only one allele is expressed, incomplete dominance allows for a combination of traits from both alleles to be visible in the offspring.

Polygenic inheritance refers to the phenomenon where more than one set of genes controls a trait. This means that multiple genes, located on different chromosomes, interact to determine the expression of a particular trait. Each gene contributes a small effect to the overall phenotype, and the cumulative effect of these genes leads to a wide range of variations in the trait. Polygenic inheritance is commonly observed in traits such as height, skin color, and intelligence, where multiple genes play a role in shaping the phenotype.