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Phenotype
The physical characteristics of an organism or the presence of a disease that may or may not be genetic.
Acquired genetic mutation
A change in the genetic structure that is neither inherited nor passed to offspring. Also called acquired mutations.
Pedigree
A family tree diagram that shows how a particular genetic trait or disease has been inherited.
Gene
The fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity. A gene is an ordered sequence of nucleotides located in a particular position on a particular chromosome that encodes a specific functional product
Junk DNA
Stretches of DNA that do not code for genes; most of the genome consists of so-called junk DNA which may have regulatory and other functions.
Autosome
A chromosome not involved in sex determination.
Genetic illness
Sickness, physical disability, or other disorder resulting from the inheritance of one or more deleterious alleles.
Birth defect
Any harmful trait, physical or biochemical, present at birth, whether a result of a genetic mutation or some other nongenetic factor.
Amino acid
Any of a class of 20 molecules that are combined to form proteins in living things.
Fraternal twin
Siblings born at the same time as the result of fertilization of two ova by two sperm. They share the same genetic relationship to each other as any other siblings.
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