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Essential Science Vocabulary: Life Science: Genetics and Evolution

Whether you want to brush up on biology, study space science, or prep for a physics test, this collection of science vocabulary is for you! Our lists cover essential terms and concepts from all major scientific disciplines.
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Full list of words from this list:

  1. adaptation
    the process of adjusting or conforming to new conditions
  2. allele
    any of the forms of a gene that can occupy the same locus
  3. chromosome
    a threadlike strand of DNA that carries genes
  4. clone
    a genetically identical organism derived from a single cell
  5. dominant
    producing a trait even when inherited from only one parent
  6. evolution
    sequence of events involved in the development of a species
  7. extinction
    the state of being no longer in existence
  8. gene
    part of DNA controlling physical characteristics and growth
  9. genetic
    relating to the study of heredity and variation in organisms
  10. genome
    the full DNA sequence of an organism
  11. genotype
    the particular alleles present in an organism
  12. heredity
    the transmission of genetic factors to the next generation
  13. heterozygous
    having dissimilar alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
  14. homologous
    having the same evolutionary origin
  15. homozygous
    having identical alleles at corresponding chromosomal loci
  16. hybrid
    the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents or stock
  17. inherit
    receive by genetic transmission
  18. mutation
    any event that changes genetic structure
  19. natural selection
    a process in which organisms evolve to adapt to environment
  20. offspring
    the immediate descendants of a person or organism
  21. phenotype
    observable characteristics produced by genes and environment
  22. probability
    a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur
  23. recessive
    of a gene that produces a feature if present in both parents
  24. species
    taxonomic group whose members can interbreed
  25. trait
    a genetically determined or inherited characteristic
  26. variation
    the process of being or becoming different
Created on Tue Aug 03 13:15:14 EDT 2021

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