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Identical twin
Twins produced by the division of a single zygote; both have identical genotypes.
Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)
A vector used to clone DNA fragments (100- to 300-kb insert size; average, 150 kb) in Escherichia coli cells.
Centromere
A specialized chromosome region to which spindle fibers attach during cell division.
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.
Deletion.
A loss of part of the DNA from a chromosome; can lead to a disease or abnormality.
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.
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
Pedigree
A family tree diagram that shows how a particular genetic trait or disease has been inherited.
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