Glossary

Ancestry:

Family history, descent or lineage, the descendants of one individual

Anthropology:

The scientific study of the origins, behaviors, and the physical, social, and cultural development of humans

Avuncular:

Regarded as characteristic of an uncle

Certified laboratory:

A place for doing tests and research procedures, meeting special quality standards set by a independent company

Chromosome:

A threadlike strand of DNA that carries the patterns defining what an animal or plant is like

DNA:

Deoxyribonucleic acid: the chemical at the centre of the cells of living things, containing the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms

Double Helix:

The coiled structure of double-stranded DNA

Fraternal:

Of or relating to brothers

Gene:

A segment of DNA consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome

Genetics:

The scientific study of biological inheritance

Immigration:

The act of entering a new country to settle permanently

Infidelity:

Unfaithfulness to a sexual partner, especially a spouse

Maternity:

The state of being a mother

Midwifery:

The techniques of a midwife, a woman skilled in aiding the delivery of babies

Paternity:

The state of being a father

Pregnancy:

The time from conception to birth

Profiling:

Recording and studying a person’s behavior

Semen:

The fluid that is released through the penis during orgasm

Sex chromosomes:

Biological system process that determines the development of sexual features

Swab:

A small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick to collect DNA samples

Twins:

One of two children born at the same birth

X-chromosome:

Sex chromosome associated with female characteristics

Y-chromosome:

The sex chromosome found only in males

Y-STR:

A short tandem repeat (STR) on the Y chromosome