Medical Genetics Glossary

noun a direct line of descent from an ancestor, especially in a noble family

adjective relating to or characteristic of a particular line of descent

• The royal family's bloodline can be traced back for centuries.
• She's always bragging about her prestigious bloodline.
• I heard he's from a long line of bloodline bosses.
• The passion for music runs deep in his bloodline.

noun a pair of glands responsible for producing gametes (sperm or eggs) and sex hormones

• The gonads are responsible for producing gametes in the human reproductive system.
• I heard that getting hit in the gonads is extremely painful.
• He kicked him right in the gonads during the fight.
• She had the intellectual gonads to challenge the status quo and push for change.

adjective a term used to describe something that is the result of inbreeding, or the breeding of closely related individuals

• The scientist conducted a study on the genetic effects of inbred populations.
• I heard that some of the animals on that farm are inbred.
• People say that family is a bit inbred, if you know what I mean.
• The company's culture felt inbred, with everyone thinking and acting the same way.

noun one of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are found at the same place on a chromosome

• The presence of a specific allele can determine an individual's eye color.
• Some people have the blue eye allele, but others have the brown eye allele.
• I got the tall allele from my dad, so I'm hoping to hit 6 feet soon.
• In the genetic lottery, I feel like I got stuck with all the recessive alleles.

noun A chromosome that is not directly involved in determining the sex of an organism, but may carry genes that affect other traits or characteristics.

• The accessory chromosome carries genes that are not essential for the survival of the organism.
• The extra chromosome has genes that are not really necessary for the organism.
• The bonus chromosome has some genes that are just extra.
• The accessory chromosome is like the cherry on top of the genetic sundae.