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Acquired genetic mutation
A change in the genetic structure that is neither inherited nor passed to offspring. Also called acquired mutations.
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
Cancer
Diseases in which abnormal cells divide and grow unchecked.
Mitosis
The process of nuclear division in cells that produces daughter cells that are genetically identical to each other and to the parent cell.
Risk communication
In genetics, a process in which a genetic counselor or other medical professional interprets genetic test results and advises patients of the consequences for them and their offspring.
Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)
A vector used to clone DNA fragments (100- to 300-kb insert size; average, 150 kb) in Escherichia coli cells.
Haploid
A single set of chromosomes (half the full set of genetic material) present in the egg and sperm cells of animals and in the egg and pollen cells of plants
Codominance
Situation in which two different alleles for a genetic trait are both expressed.
Single-gene disorder
Hereditary disorder caused by a mutant allele of a single gene.
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.
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