Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Molecular Genetics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Molecular Genetics 1. Gene vs. Allele One of the most common confusions is between the terms 'gene' and 'allele.' While a gene is a segment of DNA that codes for a specific trait, an allele is a variant of a gene. In simpler terms, a gene is like a recipe, and an allele is a specific ingredient in that recipe. 2. Genotype vs. Phenotype The terms 'genotype' and 'phenotype' are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics. In other words, genotype is the blueprint, and phenotype is the end result. 3. Homozygous vs. Heterozygous When we talk about the genetic makeup of an organism, we often come across the terms 'homozygous' and 'heterozygous.' Homozygous means having two identical alleles for a particular gene, while heterozygous means having two different alleles. It's like having two copies of the same book versus having two different books. 4. Dominant vs. Recessive Dominant and recessive are terms used to describe the expression of a trait. A dominant trait is one that is always expressed, even if there's only one copy of the gene. On the other hand, a recessive trait is only expressed when there are two copies of the gene. It's like a strong voice overpowering a soft one.