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Now updated for CSW19. New words, if any, and new inflections of existing words, are shown in red.


acentric without a centre; (noun) an acentric chromosome or fragment.
acrocentric a rod-shaped chromosome.
adenine one of the four bases in DNA.
adenosine a nucleotide made up of adenine and ribose.
adenylic as in adenylic acid, a type of nucleotide.
allel any one of the two or more possible forms of a gene.
allele any one of the two or more possible forms of a gene.
allelic relating to an allele.
allelism the state of possessing alleles.
allelomorph any one of the two or more possible forms of a gene.
allelomorphic of or like an allelomorph.
allelomorphism the state of being an allelomorph.
allogeneic involving, derived from or being individuals of the same species that are sufficiently unlike genetically to interact antigenically.
allogenic involving, derived from or being individuals of the same species that are sufficiently unlike genetically to interact antigenically.
allomorphism the state of being an allomorph.
allozyme a different form of an enzyme coded by the same allele.
ameiosis non-pairing of the chromosomes in meiosis.
amphidiploid a hybrid having a complete diploid chromosome set from each parent.
amphidiploidy the state of being amphidiploid.
amphimictic relating to amphimixis.
amphimixis interbreeding; intermixing of two individuals' genetic matter.
amphiploid having at least one set of diploid chromosomes derived from each parent species.
amphiploidy the state of being amphiploid, having at least one set of diploid chromosomes derived from each parent species.
anaphasic relating to the anaphase, the stage of meiosis in which daughter chromosomes move towards the nuclear spindle.
aneuploidy the condition of being aneuploid, having missing or extra chromosomes.
anticodon a triplet of nucleotide bases in transfer RNA.
aptamer any of various created RNA-based molecules with therapeutic properties.
archiplasm the protoplasmic material surrounding the centrosome, formerly thought to be involved in the formation of the asters and spindle during mitosis.
archiplasmic relating to archiplasm, the protoplasmic material surrounding the centrosome.
archoplasm the protoplasmic material surrounding the centrosome, formerly thought to be involved in the formation of the asters and spindle during mitosis.
archoplasmic relating to archoplasm, the protoplasmic material surrounding the centrosome.
atavism the reappearance of ancestral, but not parental, characteristics.
atavistic showing atavism, a resemblance to more remote ancestors rather than to parents.
atavistically (Adv.) ATAVISTIC, showing atavism, a resemblance to more remote ancestors rather than to parents.
autopolyploid an individual or strain whose chromosome complement consists of more than two complete copies of the genome of a single ancestral species.
autopolyploidy the state of being an autopolyploid, an individual or strain whose chromosome complement consists of more than two complete copies of the genome of a single ancestral species.
autosomal of or like an autosome, a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.
autosomally (Adv.) AUTOSOMAL, of or like an autosome, a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.
autosome a chromosome other than a sex chromosome.
autotetraploid an individual or strain whose chromosome complement consists of four copies of a single genome due to doubling of an ancestral chromosome complement.
autotetraploidy the state of being autotetraploid.
backcross a cross between a hybrid and a parent; (verb) to create such a cross.
bigener (Lat.) a hybrid arising from two genera.
bigeneric relating to a bigener, a hybrid arising from two genera.
bimaternal having the genetic material of two mothers but no father.
biohacker one who engages in biohacking.
biotype a set of organisms having the same genetic constitution.
biotypic relating to a biotype, a set of organisms having the same genetic constitution.
bloodline all the individuals in a family line over a number of generations.
cacogenic reducing the quality of a race.
cacogenics the study of racial degeneration.
centromere the portion of DNA that attaches a chromosome to the spindle during cell division.
centromeric relating to a centromere.
chimaera a mythical or genetic hybrid.
chimaerism the state of being or creating a genetic chimaera.
chimera (Lat.) a mythical or genetic hybrid.
chimerism the state of being or creating a genetic chimaera.
chromatid one of the two threadlike structures formed by the longitudinal division of a chromosome.
chromatin a protein/DNA complex making the chromosome.
chromatinic relating to chromatin.
chromatoid relating to chromatin, a protein/DNA complex making the chromosome.
chromomere one of the characteristic granules of chromatin that appear on a chromosome during meiosis.
chromomeric relating to a chromomere.
cistron a section of a chromosome which controls a single function.
cistronic relating to a cistron, a section of a chromosome which controls a single function.
codominance the state of having both alleles expressed equally in the phenotype of the organism.
codon a triplet of bases in the messenger-RNA molecule, which determines a particular amino-acid in protein synthesis.
colorbred selectively bred for the development of certain colours.
colorbreed to breed plants or animals selectively for the production of new varieties having a specific color or shade.
colourbreed to breed (animals or plants) to be a particular colour.
congenetic having common origin.
congenic of animal cells, bred to be genetically identical except for a single gene locus.
corepressor a small molecule that activates a particular genetic repressor by combining with it.
cosmid a segment of DNA.
cotransduction the process by which two genetic markers are simultaneously packaged within a bacteriophage for transfer to a new host bacterium.
derepression the act of derepressing.
diaster (Greek) a stage in cellular mitosis where the split chromosomes group at the poles of the spindle, thus preparing to separate into two cells.
diastral relating to diaster, a stage in cellular mitosis.
dihybrid a cross between parents that differ in two independently heritable characteristics.
diploid containing two homologous sets of chromosomes, one from each parent; (noun) a diploid animal.
diploidic relating to diploidy, the state of being diploid.
diploidy the state of being diploid, containing a nucleus with two complete sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.
diplophase a diploid phase in a life cycle.
disomic having a number of chromosomes duplicated.
disomy the state of being disomic, having a number of chromosomes duplicated.
dizygotic developed from two zygotes or fertilised eggs.
dysbindin a gene associated with schizophrenia.
dysgenic unfavourable to racial improvement.
ectogene a gene involved in the development of an embryo in artificial conditions.
endopolyploid relating to endopolyploidy.
endopolyploidy a polyploid state in which the chromosomes have divided repeatedly without subsequent division of the nucleus or cell.
epigenetic resulting from external features, not genetic.
epigenetically (Adv.) EPIGENETIC, resulting from external features, not genetic.
epigenome the complement of chemical compounds that modify the expression and function of the genome.
epistasis the suppression of a gene by another non-allelomorphic gene.
epistasy a suppression of genetic effect.
epistatic of, exhibiting, or caused by epistasis, the suppression of a gene by another non-allelomorphic gene.
euchromatic of or like euchromatin.
euchromatin the part of chromatin that is genetically active and is largely composed of genes.
eugenic relating to genetic improvement of a race by judicious mating.
eugenical relating to genetic improvement of a race by judicious mating.
eugenically (Adv.) EUGENICAL, relating to genetic improvement of a race by judicious mating.
eugenics the study of genetic improvement of a race by judicious mating.
eugenism the study of the genetic improvement of race.
eugenist one who practises eugenics.
euploid having a chromosome complement that is an exact multiple of the haploid; (noun) an euploid animal.
euploidy the state of being a euploid, having a chromosome complement that is an exact multiple of the haploid.
exome a part of the genome consisting of exons.
exogenetic not genetic, not caused by genetic factors.
exon any segment of a gene which consists of codons.
exonic relating to an exon, any segment of a gene which consists of codons.
fertilization the process by which an egg is made capable of generating offspring.
frameshift a term in genetic manipulation.
gene a hereditary unit.
genecology the study of the gene frequency of a species in relation to its population distribution within a particular environment.
genetic relating to origins; relating to genes.
genetical relating to origins; relating to genes.
genetically (Adv.) GENETIC, relating to genes.
genetics the science of heredity.
genic of or relating to a gene.
genically (Adv.) GENIC, of or relating to a gene.
genom the complete set of chromosomes of a particular organism.
genome the complete set of chromosomes of a particular organism.
genomic relating to a genome.
genomics the branch of molecular genetics concerned with the study of genomes.
genotype the set of genes of an individual; (verb) to determine the gneotype of > GENOTYPED, GENOTYPING.
genotypic relating to a genotype, the set of genes of an individual.
genotypical relating to a genotype.
genotypicity the state of being genotypic.
guanin a yellowish-white, amorphous substance, found in guano, liver, pancreas, and other organs of animals, and germ cells of plants, forming a constituent of nucleic acids.
guanine a yellowish-white, amorphous substance, found in guano, liver, pancreas, and other organs of animals, and germ cells of plants, forming a constituent of nucleic acids.
guanosine a nucleoside composed of guanine and ribose.
haploid possessing a single set of chromosomes, like the gametes; (noun) such a cell.
haploidic denoting a cell or organism with unpaired chromosomes.
haploidy the state of being haploid, possessing a single set of chromosomes.
haplont an organism having a particular chromosomal structure.
haplontic of or like a haplont, an organism having a particular chromosomal structure.
haplosis the halving of the chromosome number.
hemizygous having one or more genes that have no allelic counterparts.
hereditist an adherent of hereditarianism, the view that heredity is the major factor in determining human and animal behaviour.
heredity the genetic transmission of characteristics.
heteroduplex a nucleicacid molecule, such as DNA, composed of two chains with each derived from a different parent molecule.
heterogenesis spontaneous or alternate generation.
heterogenetic relating to heterogenesis.
heterogenic relating to heterogenesis.
heterogeny spontaneous or alternate generation.
heteroploid an organism having a chromosome number that is not an integral multiple of the haploid.
heterosis the increased size and vigor attributable to hybridization.
hexaploid having six times the ordinary number of chromosomes; (noun) a cell having six times the ordinary number of chromosomes.
hexaploidy the state of having six times the normal number of chromosomes.
holandric transmitted by a gene in the nonhomologous portion of the Y chromosome.
hologynic passed down through females.
hologyny a trait transmitted solely in the female line.
homeobox of genes, that regulate the development of multicellular animals and plants.
homoeobox of genes, that regulate the development of multicellular animals and plants.
homozygosity the state of being homozygous, inheriting a given genetic factor from both parents.
homozygous inheriting a given genetic factor from both parents.
homozygously (Adv.) HOMOZYGOUS, inheriting a given genetic factor from both parents.
hybrid the offspring of genetically dissimilar parents.
hybridise to create a hybrid.
hybridism the state of being hybrid.
hybridity the state of being hybrid.
hybridize to create a hybrid.
hybridous hybrid.
hyperploid in excess of but not exact multiple of diploid; (noun) a hyperploid organism.
hyperploidy the state of being hyperploid, in excess of but not exact multiple of diploid.
hypodiploid having slightly fewer than the diploid number of chromosomes.
hypodiploidy the state of being hypodiploid, having slightly fewer than the diploid number of chromosomes.
hypomorph a mutant gene but having a similar but weaker effect than the corresponding wild-type gene.
hypomorphic of a mutation, causing a partial loss of gene function.
hypoploid a chromosome number a few below the normal diploid number.
hypoploidy the state of being hypoploid, having a chromosome number a few below the normal diploid number.
idant an aggregation of ids, a chromosome.
idiogram a chromosome diagram.
idioplasm the part of the protoplasm bearing hereditary characteristics.
idioplasmatic of or like idioplasm, the part of the protoplasm bearing hereditary characteristics.
idioplasmic of or like idioplasm, the part of the protoplasm bearing hereditary characteristics.
incross to produce a plant or animal by crossing two inbred individuals.
incrossbreed to produce by crossing two inbred individuals of different breeds.
intragenic being or occurring within a gene.
introgression the modification of species by the backcrossing of the hybrids with the parent species.
introgressive relating to introgression.
intron any of the segments of a eukaryotic gene that do not carry coded information for the synthesis of proteins.
intronic of or like an intron, an intervening sequence in the genetic code.
isochromosome a chromosome produced by transverse splitting ofthe centromere so that both arms are from the same side of the centromere, are of equal length, and possess identical genes.
isogamete a gamete indistinguishable in form or size or behavior from another gamete, with which it can unite to form a zygote.
isogametic relating to isogamy, the conjugation of two gametes of equal size and form.
isogamic relating to isogamy, the conjugation of two gametes of equal size and form.
isogamous relating to isogamy, the conjugation of two gametes of equal size and form.
isogamy the conjugation of two gametes of equal size and form.
isogeneic genetically similar or identical, eg in respect of grafts.
isogenetic relating to isogeny, sameness or similarity of origin.
isogenic genetically similar or identical, eg in respect of grafts.
isogenous having the same origin.
isogeny sameness or similarity of origin.
karyogram a chromosome diagram or karyotype.
karyotype the appearance, number and arrangements of chromosomes; (verb) to determine the karyotype of.
karyotypic of or like a karyotype, the appearance, number and arrangements of chromosomes.
karyotypical of or like a karyotype, the appearance, number and arrangements of chromosomes.
karyotypically (Adv.) KARYOTYPIC, of or like a karyotype.
kinetochore a structure forming at the centromere during mitosis for binding microtubules.
kinetonucleus a DNA body located near the base of the flagellum in flagellate protozoa.
kinetoplast a DNA body located near the base of the flagellum in flagellate protozoa.
lampbrush as in lampbrush chromosome, a chromosome observed during the early stages of meiosis in many eukaryotes.
lethal causing death (noun) a death-dealing genetic defect
lethally (Adv.) LETHAL, causing death.
linebred produced by interbreeding within a particular line of descent.
mappist one who maps esp genes.
matrocliny the inheritance of traits primarily from the mother.
meme in biology, a practice or belief passed on other than by genes.
memetic of or like a meme.
metacentric a chromosome having the centromere approximately in the middle, such that the two arms are of similar length.
microarray a collection of microscopic DNA spots, aka gene chip.
microgamete the smaller, generally the male, gamete.
miscegenate to practise miscegenation.
miscegenation the interbreeding of races, esp where differences of pigmentation are involved.
miscegenational relating to miscegenation.
miscegenetic relating to miscegenation.
miscegenist a person who favours or practises miscegenation.
missense to sense wrongly.
mongrel an animal or plant of mixed breed.
mongrelise to make mongrel.
mongrelism the state of being mongrel.
mongrelize to make mongrel.
mongrelly like a mongrel.
monogeny the (theoretical) common origin of the human species, esp from one pair of ancestors.
monohybrid a cross between parents differing in one heritable character.
monoploid a haploid organism, a gametophyte.
monosome an unpaired chromosome.
monosomic relating to a monosome, an unpaired chromosome; (noun) a monosomic individual or variety.
monosomy a condition of having one unpaired chromosome.
mosaicism the property or state of being composed of cells of two genetically different types.
multigene each of a group of genes with closely related nucleotide sequences, apparently evolved from a common ancestor sequence and often having similar or related functions.
multigenic having many genes.
mutagenic inducing mutations.
mutagenically (Adv.) MUTAGENIC, inducing mutations.
muton a unit of nucleic acid.
myc a cancer-causing gene.
neurogenesis the production or generation of nerves.
nonallelic not allelic.
noncoding of DNA, not contributing to the code.
nongenetic not genetic.
nucleosomal of or like a nucleosome.
nucleosome a repeating unit of chromatin occurring along a strand of DNA.
octaploid eightfold; (noun) a cell, organism or form with eight sets of chromosomes.
octaploidy the condition of being octaploid, eightfold.
octoploid eightfold; (noun) a cell, organism or form with eight sets of chromosomes.
oligogene a type of gene.
ontogenetic relating to ontogenesis.
ontogenic relating to ontogenesis, the origin and development of a single individual organism.
ontogenically (Adv.) ONTOGENIC, relating to ontogenesis.
operon a group of genes operating as a unit.
outbreed to breed from parents not closely related.
outcross to breed individuals of different strains of a species.
outcrossing the act of crossing (an animal or plant, a breed or stock) with one not closely related.
pangenesis darwin's theory that every cell of the body contributes gemmules to the germ-cells and so shares in the transmission of inherited characters.
pangenetic of or pertaining to pangenesis.
pangenetically (Adv.) PANGENETIC, of or pertaining to pangenesis.
paralogue either of a pair of genes that derive from the same ancestral gene.
parasynapsis the pairing of chromosomes of paternal and maternal origin before the reducing division.
parasynaptic of or like a parasynapsis.
patrocliny the inheritance of traits primarily from the father.
penetrance the degree or frequency with which a gene manifests its effect.
pentaploid a cell, organism, or form with five sets of chromosomes.
pentaploidy the state of being pentaploid.
phaenotype the sum of the attributes of an individual, regarded as resulting from the interaction of its genotype with its environment; (verb) to categorise by phaenotype.
phenetic of or relating to classification by phenotype.
phenocopy a copy of a genetic abnormality that is produced by the environment and cannot be inherited.
phenome the complete set of phenotypes of an individual or group.
phenotype the sum of the attributes of an individual, regarded as resulting from the interaction of its genotype with its environment; (verb) to categorise by phenotype.
plasmid a small DNA molecule found in bacteria.
pleiotropic of a gene, having an effect simultaneously on more than one character in the offspring.
pleiotropism the state of being pleiotropic, having an effect simultaneously on more than one character in the offspring.
pleiotropy the property of having an effect simultaneously on more than one characteristic of the offspring.
ploidy a multiple set of chromosomes.
polyclonal produced by or being cells derived from two or more cells of different ancestry or genetic constitution; (noun) a type of antibody.
polygene a set of cooperating genes, each producing a small effect.
polygenism the doctrine that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair.
polygenist one who maintains that animals of the same species have sprung from more than one original pair.
polyploid having more than two sets (diploid) of the basic chromosome number (haploid).
polyploidal having more than two sets (diploid) of the basic chromosome number (haploid).
polyploidic having more than two sets (diploid) of the basic chromosome number (haploid).
polyploidy the condition of being polyploid.
polyribosomal of or like a polyribosome.
polyribosome a cluster of ribosomes linked together by a molecule of messenger RNA and forming the site of protein synthesis.
polysomic a basically diploid chromosome complement, in which some but not all the chromosomes are represented more than twice.
polytene of abnormally large chromosomes, composed of many reduplicated strands.
polyteny in abnormally large chromosomes, the state of being composed of many reduplicated strands.
proband a person with some distinctive characteristic who serves as the starting point for a study of genetic transmission.
profectitious derived from a parent or ancestor.
pureblood a horse etc. of unmixed race.
purebred of unmixed race; (noun) a purebred creature, eg a horse.
ramet an independent member of a clone.
recessive tending to receive (noun) a recessive gene
recessively (Adv.) RECESSIVE.
recombinant a gene that recombines.
replicator something or someone that replicates.
replicon a section of nucleic acid that replicates as a unit.
revertant (Fr.) a mutant gene that regains a former capability.
riflip the genetic difference between two individuals.
segregant a genetic segregate.
semantide a molecule carrying information, eg in a gene or messenger RNA.
semilethal a mutation that tends to be lethal but is not always.
serogroup any group of bacteria or other microorganisms that have a certain antigen in common.
sexlinked of a gene, found on a sex chromosome.
species (Lat.) a population of individuals which share the same gene pool and which is unable to interbreed with closely related populations to produce viable offspring.
spermatozoal of or like a spermatozoon, a male sexual cell, which fertilises the egg.
spermatozoic of or like a spermatozoon, a male sex cell.
spermatozoon a male sexual cell, which fertilises the egg.
straightbred an animal produced by breeding a single breed, strain, or type.
subbreed a race or strain differing in certain characters from the parent breed.
subline an inbred line within a strain.
submetacentric having the centromere situated so that one chromosome arm is somewhat shorter than the other; (noun) a submetacentric chromosome.
supercoil a complex coil formed by intertwining strands of protein or DNA; (verb) to create such a coil.
supergene a group of closely linked genes, frequently having related functions.
superhelical of or like a superhelix.
superhelix a helix, as of DNA, which has its axis arranged in a helical coil.
synapsis the pairing of chromosomes of paternal and maternal origin before the reducing division.
synaptical of or like synapsis, the pairing of chromosomes of paternal and maternal origin before the reducing division.
syngamic of or like syngamy, the process of union of two gametes.
syngeneic genetically similar or identical, eg in respect of grafts.
syngenic genetically similar or identical, eg in respect of grafts.
synkaryon the nucleus of a fertilized egg immediately after the male and female nuclei have fused.
synkaryonic like a synkaryon.
syntenic relating to synteny, the presence of two or more genes on the same chromosome.
synteny the presence of two or more genes on the same chromosome.
telocentric of a chromosome, having the centromere at one end of the chromosome; (noun) a telocentric chromosome.
telomere a centromere that is located in a terminal position on a chromosome.
testcross a type of genetic cross; (verb) to make a testcross.
tetraploid four haploid sets of chromosomes.
tetraploidy the state of being tetraploid, having four haploid sets of chromosomes.
thymidine a nucleoside of thymine, found in DNA.
thymine one of the four bases in DNA.
topcross a cross between a purebred male and inferior female stock.
transcriptome a collection of all the messenger RNA in a particular cell.
transductant an agent that effects transduction.
transduction the transfer of genetic material from one bacterial cell to another by a bacteriophage.
transductional relating to transduction.
transgene a gene that is transferred from an organism of one species to an organism of another species by genetic engineering.
transgenic of, pertaining to, or designating an organism containing genetic material into which DNA from an unrelated organism has been artificially introduced.
transgenics the branch of biology concerned with transgenic organisms.
transposon a sequence of DNA capable of moving to different sites in a chromosome.
triploid having three haploid sets of chromosomes in each nucleus; (noun) a triploid cell.
triploidy the condition of being triploid.
trisome a chromosome that occurs three times in a cell instead of twice.
trisomic designating an otherwise normal diploid organism in which one chromosome type is represented three times instead of twice; (noun) a trisomic cell or individual; a chromosome represented three times in a chromosomal complement.
trisomy a trisomic condition, an otherwise normal diploid organism in which one chromosome type is represented three times instead of twice.
truebred of true breeding.
uridine a pyrimidine nucleoside based on uracil and ribose.
uridylic as in uridylic acid, a constituent of RNA.
virogene a virus-forming gene.
xenogenesis the supposed production of offspring totally different from the parents.
xenoplastic involving or occurring between distantly related individuals.