Biology Genetics Basics
Practice 30 core genetics terms and inheritance principles
What You'll Learn
Learn foundational genetics with free flashcards. Review DNA structure, inheritance, Mendelian genetics, mutations, and modern molecular genetics vocabulary.
Key Topics
- Mendelian inheritance and Punnett square basics
- Genotype/phenotype and dominance relationships
- DNA replication and mutation terminology
- Chromosomes, meiosis, and gene expression essentials
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How to study this deck
Start with a quick skim of the questions, then launch study mode to flip cards until you can answer each prompt without hesitation. Revisit tricky cards using shuffle or reverse order, and schedule a follow-up review within 48 hours to reinforce retention.
Preview: Biology Genetics Basics
Question
Molecule that stores hereditary information
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DNA
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Sugar in DNA nucleotides
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Deoxyribose
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DNA base that pairs with adenine
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Thymine
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DNA base that pairs with cytosine
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Guanine
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Segment of DNA that codes for a trait
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Gene
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Alternative version of a gene
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Allele
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Physical appearance of a trait
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Phenotype
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Genetic makeup of an organism
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Genotype
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Allele expressed when only one copy is present
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Dominant allele
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Allele expressed only with two copies
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Recessive allele
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Two identical alleles for a gene
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Homozygous
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Two different alleles for a gene
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Heterozygous
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Cross between two heterozygous parents (Aa x Aa) predicts ratios using a
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Punnett square
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Scientist known as father of genetics
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Gregor Mendel
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Mendel's law: allele pairs separate during gamete formation
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Law of segregation
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Mendel's law: genes for different traits assort independently
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Law of independent assortment
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Chromosome type determining biological sex
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Sex chromosome
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Non-sex chromosome
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Autosome
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Complete set of chromosomes in an organism
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Karyotype
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Cell division that produces gametes
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Meiosis
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Exchange of DNA between homologous chromosomes
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Crossing over
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Random separation of homologous chromosomes in meiosis I
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Independent assortment
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Process by which DNA copies itself
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DNA replication
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Enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands
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DNA polymerase
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Change in DNA sequence
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Mutation
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Single-base mutation that changes one amino acid
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Missense mutation
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Mutation introducing a premature stop codon
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Nonsense mutation
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Mutation that shifts reading frame
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Frameshift mutation
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Trait influenced by multiple genes
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Polygenic trait
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Study of heritable changes not caused by DNA sequence changes
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Epigenetics