Genetics is the branch of science that studies the inheritance and variation of traits in living organisms. To understand the concepts in genetics, it is important to be familiar with specific vocabulary. Here are some terms that can be used to complete the sentences:
1. Genotype
2. Phenotype
3. Allele
4. Dominant
5. Recessive
6. Homozygous
7. Heterozygous
8. Punnett square
Now let's complete the sentences using these terms:
1. The __genotype__ refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while the __phenotype__ refers to the physical traits or characteristics that are expressed.
2. An __allele__ is a variant form of a gene that can influence a trait.
3. The __dominant__ allele is the one that masks the presence of the __recessive__ allele when they are both present in an organism's genotype.
4. When an organism has two identical alleles for a particular gene, it is said to be __homozygous__ for that gene. When an organism has two different alleles for a particular gene, it is said to be __heterozygous__.
5. A __Punnett square__ is a diagram used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring based on the alleles of the parents.
Understanding and correctly using these terms will help in studying and analyzing genetic traits and inheritance patterns.