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The molecule that contains the chemical instrucations for cells to manufacture various proteins
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
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One of the 46 molecules of DNA that each cell of the human body contains and that, together, contain all the genes. Other species have more or fewer.
Chromosome
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A section of a chromosome and the basic unit for the transmission of heredity, consisting of a string of chemicals that are instrictions for the cell to manufacture certain proteins.
Gene
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Any of the possible forms in which a gene for a particular trait can occur.
Allele
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The full set of genes that are the instructions to make an individual member of a certain species.
Genome
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A reproductive cell; that is, a sperm of owum that can produce a new individual if it combines with a gamete from the other sex to make a zygote.
Gamete
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The single cell formed from the fusing of two gametes, a sperm and an ovum.
Zygote
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An organism's entire genetic inheritance, or genetic potential.
Genotype
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The chromosome pair that, in humans, determines the zygote's sex. The other 22 pairs are autosomes, the same whether the 23rd pair is for a male or a female.
23rd pair
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A 23rd chromsome pair that consistes of two X-shaped chromosomes, one each from the mother and the father, XX zygotes become females.
XX
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A 23rd chromosome pair that consists of an X-shaped chromosome from the mother and a Y-shaped chromosome from the father, XY zygotes become males.
XY
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Twins who originate from one zygote that splits apart very early in development. Other monozygotic multiple births can occur as well.
Monozygotic Twins
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The inability to conceive after at least a year of trying to do so via sexual intercourse.
Infertility
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A general term for the techniques designed to help infertile couples conceive and then sustain a pregnancy.
Assisted Reproductive Technology
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The observable characteristics of a person. including appearance, personality, intelligence, and all the other traits.
Phenotype
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Referring to a trait that is influenced by many genes.
Polygenic
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Referring to a trait that is affected by many factors, both genetic and environmental.
Multifactoral
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A gene that has several alleles, each of which contributes to the final phenotype (skin color or height).
Additive Gene
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The interaction of a pair of alleles in such a way that the phenotype reveals the influence of one allele more than that of the other.
Dominant-Recessive Pattern
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A condition in which an organism has a mixture of cells, some normal and some with an odd number of chromosomes or a series of missing genes.
Mosaicism
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A genetic disorder in which part of the X chromosome seems to be attached to the rest of it by a very thin string of molecules. The cause it a single gene that has more than 200 repititions of one triplet.
Fragile X Syndrome
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