Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Medical Genetics

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Medical Genetics 1. Gene vs. Allele The terms 'gene' and 'allele' are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. A gene is a segment of DNA that determines a specific trait, while an allele is a variant of a gene. In simpler terms, a gene is like a recipe, and an allele is a specific ingredient. Understanding the difference between these two terms is essential for comprehending genetic inheritance patterns. 2. Homozygous vs. Heterozygous When we talk about an individual's genotype, we often encounter the terms 'homozygous' and 'heterozygous.' Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene, while heterozygous means having two different alleles. This distinction is crucial when studying genetic disorders, as the presence of different alleles can result in varying phenotypic outcomes. 3. Dominant vs. Recessive Dominant and recessive are terms used to describe the expression of traits. A dominant trait is one that is always expressed, even if only one copy of the allele is present. On the other hand, a recessive trait is only expressed when two copies of the allele are present. Understanding these terms helps in predicting the likelihood of certain traits being passed on to offspring. 4. Genotype vs. Phenotype