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12.13.17-Introduction to Genetics

The document provides an introduction to genetics, focusing on the work of Gregor Mendel, who is considered the father of genetics. It outlines key vocabulary such as traits, genes, alleles, and concepts like dominance, segregation, and independent assortment. Additionally, it discusses various inheritance patterns including incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, and polygenic traits.

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1 views

12.13.17-Introduction to Genetics

The document provides an introduction to genetics, focusing on the work of Gregor Mendel, who is considered the father of genetics. It outlines key vocabulary such as traits, genes, alleles, and concepts like dominance, segregation, and independent assortment. Additionally, it discusses various inheritance patterns including incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, and polygenic traits.

Uploaded by

sedat55555
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Genetics

Chapter 11
The Work of Gregor
Mendel
Genetics

• The scientific study of heredity.


Vocabulary to Know
• Trait: a specific characteristic varying
among individuals
ex: eye color

• Gene: a portion of DNA determining a


trait; found on the chromosomes
ex: the gene for eye color
Vocabulary (continued)
• Hybrid: the offspring of
two parents with
different traits

• Gametes: reproductive
cells (aka: sex cells;
sperm & egg)
Allele: the form of a gene
• Allele: the different forms of a
gene
* Represented by a
letter.
ex: Widow’s Peak = W
* Organisms have two
alleles for each trait, one
inherited from the mother
and one from the father.
ex: WW
Forms of Alleles
Dominant Allele: trait will be expressed with
only one copy present
* Represented with capital letters.
ex: W (Widow’s peak)

Recessive Allele: trait will only be expressed


when no dominant alleles are present
* Represented with lower case letters.
ex: w (No widow’s peak)
Gregor Mendel
• Considered the father of genetics.

• Mid-1800s

• Monk who experimented with pea


plants in the monastery garden.
Mendel’s Conclusions
1. Inheritance is determined by
factors passed from one
generation to the next.

2. Principle of dominance: Some


alleles are dominant and others
are recessive.
Mendel’s Conclusions
3. Segregation: A gamete carries
only one copy of each gene.

4. Principle of independent
assortment: Genes for different
traits segregate independently
from one another.
Applying Mendel’s
Principles
Allele Combinations
• Homozygous: both alleles are the
same
ex: WW or ww

• Heterozygous: alleles are different


ex: Ww (capital letter is
always 1st!)
• Genotype: the actual allele combination;
what the genes say
ex: WW, Ww, ww

• Phenotype: the trait observed


ex: Widow’s Peak
Punnett Squares
• Used to predict the genotypes of
offspring when the genotypes of both
parents is known.
Other Patterns of
Inheritance
Incomplete Dominance
 The heterozygous phenotype (Ww) is
somewhere between both homozygous
phenotypes (WW & ww).

 Ex: pink flowers


Codominance
• Both alleles contribute to the
phenotype; neither allele is dominant .

•Ex: roan cattle


Multiple Alleles
 More than two allele possibilities.

 Ex: blood type


Polygenic Traits
 Traits controlled by more than one
gene.

 Ex: skin color

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