DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is a double-helix structure composed of nucleotides. Each nucleotide contains a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base (adenine, thymine, cytosine, guanine). DNA carries genetic information that dictates the development, functioning, and reproduction of organisms.

Heredity is the transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring, passing down traits through genes.

A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for producing proteins, determining inherited traits.

An allele is a variant form of a gene that can exist in different forms (dominant or recessive) and determines specific traits.

A dominant trait is one that is expressed in the phenotype of an organism, even if only one copy of the allele is present.

A recessive trait is expressed in the phenotype only when two copies of the recessive allele are inherited, one from each parent.

Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, representing the specific alleles inherited for a particular gene or set of genes.

Phenotype refers to the observable physical characteristics of an organism, influenced by its genotype and environmental factors.

Mendel’s Law of Segregation states that each organism carries two alleles for each trait, and these alleles separate during gamete formation, with each gamete receiving one allele.

Mendel’s Law of Independent Assortment states that genes for different traits are inherited independently of each other, meaning the inheritance of one trait does not affect the inheritance of another.