Gene - A unit of heredity information (a specific sequence of either DNA or RNA)

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) - Twisted double helix comprised of a phosphate back bone and Adenine and Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine base pairs.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) - Usually a single strand of nucleotides with Adenine, Cytosine, Guanine, and Uracil base pairs.

Restriction Enzyme - special enzymes that recognizes and cuts up specific sequences of DNA.

Recombinant DNA - DNA in which genes from two different sources are linked together

Plasmid - a tiny circle of DNA found outside the main chromosome in bacterial cells

Primers - Single strands of DNA used in PCR Amplification.

Polygenetic - When a trait is controlled by more then one gene it is said to be polygenetic. An example of this is Alzheimer's who's genes are found in several areas of the human genetic code.

Nucleotide - The building block of DNA which holds the DNA structure together acting as a bond between the nitrogen and phosphate that make up the DNA backbone.

Vector - a virus or bacterium that acts as a transport for altered genes giving the gene access to modify other cells.

Recessive Trait - a trait that is present genetically, but is superseded by another genetic trait (said to be the Dominate trait).

Phenotype - the physical expression of a gene. For instance, the color you your eyes or hair would be a phenotype.