| Diploid | Cell containing two complete sets of chromosomes from each parent |
| Haploid | Cell containing single set of unpaired chromosomes, one from each parent |
| Homologous Chromosomes | Set of chromosomes [one paternal, one maternal], containing the same genes but different alleles |
| Human Karyotype | Set of 46 chromosomes: 23 pairs |
| Autosomal Chromosomes | non-sex chromosomes, pairs 1-22 are autosomal [no. 23 determines sex: Female = XX, Male = XY |
| Genes | Segment of DNA coding for a specific phenotypic trait [e.g. gene for hair colour] |
| Gene Locus | Fixed point on the chromosome where a specifc gene is found [e.g. location on a chromosome of the hair colour gene] |
| Alleles | Different variations of a gene, all originating from mutations [e.g. blond, brown, black hair colour] |
