Genetic Terminology

Allele: An alternative form of a gene.

Morph: A silent gene.

Angelman syndrome: a rare genetically inherited form of mental retardation.

Autosome: Synonymous with somatic chromosomes.

Chimera: An exceptionally rare person composed of the cells derived from different zygotes.

Chromosome: Rod-shaped or thread-like structures located within the cell nucleus that carry genes encoded by DNA.

Cloned gene: A recombinant DNA molecule along with the gene of interest.

Consanguinity: Having a common ancestor, i.e., blood relations.

Crossing over: The exchange of genetic material between a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Cross-pollination: Mating of two genetically different plants (but of the same species).

Dizygotic twins: Twins produced from two separate ova, which are separately fertilized.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA): Composed of nucleic acids, DNA encodes the genes that facilitate genetic information to be passed to offspring.

Evolution: Genetic change in a population of organisms over period of time.

Gamete: A reproductive sex cell (i.e. ovum or sperm).

Gene: Units of inheritance typically occurring at specific locations (a chromosome).

Gene Pool: All of the genes in all of the individuals in a breeding population.

Gene Flow: The transference of genes from one population to another.

Genetic Drift: Evolution, or change in gene pool frequencies, resulting from a random chance.

Genetics: Study of gene structure, action, and the patterns of inheritance of traits from parent to offspring.

Genome: The full genetic complement of a species.

Genomic imprinting: The epigenetic phenomenon by which certain genes are expressed in a parent-of-origin-specific manner.

Genotype: Genetic constitution of a cell (of an individual organism).

Gout: Genetically inherited metabolic disorder (or a type of arthritis).

Hemophilia: Genetic disorder (largely inherited), problem in blood clotting.

Heterozygous: A cell containing two different alleles of a gene.

Huntington's disease: An inherited disorder that results into death of brain cells.

Hybrid: Combining the qualities of two animals or plants of different breeds, varieties, species (also known as crossbreed).

Mutation: Change that occurs in DNA sequence.

Pleiotropy: When one gene influences two or more apparently unrelated phenotypic traits

Psoriasis An inherited disease categorized by recurring thick, reddish patches on skin.

Syntenic: Genes occurring on the same chromosome.

Zygote: The fertilized egg is known as zygote.