INHERITANCE

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Inheritance is the transmission of genetic information from one generation to the
next, leading to continuity of the species and variation within it.
Terms used in inheritance:

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 Chromosomes, DNA, genes and alleles
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In the nucleus of every cell there are a number of long threads called chromosomes.

Chromosomes

Most of the time, the chromosomes are too thin to be seen except
with an electron microscope. But when a cell is dividing, they get
shorter and fatter so they can be seen with a light microscope.

Human cells contain 46 chromosomes, which

are in pairs. Sex cells (sperm and ova)
contain only 23 chromosomes. The 23
chromosomes comprise one from each pair.

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DNA

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Each chromosome contains one very long
molecule of DNA. The DNA molecule carries
a code that instructs the cell about which
kind of proteins it should make. Each
chromosome carries instructions for making
many different proteins.

Gene

Each chromosome is made up of a large number

of genes coding for the formation of different
proteins which give us our characteristics. The
gene responsible for a particular characteristic
is always on the same relative position on the
chromosome.

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Alleles
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When the chromosomes are in pairs, there
may be a different form (allele) of the gene
on each chromosome.

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 Monohybrid cross and the punnett square
A monohybrid cross involves the crossing of individuals and the examination
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of one (mono) character (flower color, pod shape...) and different (hybrid) traits (red color, white
color) in their offspring.

The Punnett square is a useful tool for predicting the genotypes and phenotypes of offspring in a
genetic cross involving Mendelian traits.
Mendel crossed true-breeding plants that differed for
a given character. Pollen from true-breeding pea
plants with purple flowers (one trait) was placed on
stigmas of true-breeding plants with white flowers
(another trait).

The F1 seeds were all purple; the white flower trait

failed to appear at all. F1= PW,PW,PW,PW (All purple)

Because the purple flower trait completely masks the P W

white flower trait when true-breeding plants are
crossed, the purple flower trait is called dominant, P PP PW
and the white flower trait is called recessive.

The F1 plants were allowed to self-pollinate. This W PW WW

step was the monohybrid cross. (or the F1 cross). The

progeny, called F2, were examined: F2=PP,PW,PW,PW,WW (3 PURPLE,1 5
roughly 1/4 were white, and 3/4 were purple. WHITE)
 Monohybrid cross
MENDEL investigated in his crossing experiments not only the
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characteristic color in pea seeds (green and yellow), but also various forms
of seeds (round or wrinkled), different sections of the stem (short or long) as
well as different shapes and colors of the Fruits (pods). Mendel’s
observations and results of crossing experiments are summarized in the
Mendelian rules.
Basic concepts for understanding the Mendelian rules
The genotype (heritage image) is the totality of the genes of an organism.
T T
The phenotype (appearance) is resulting from the totality of the
characteristics appearance of an organism.
It is formed as a result of the interaction of genes (genotype) with the t Tt Tt
environment.
A gene is a section on the chromosomes that is responsible for the training of
a characteristic.
t Tt Tt
Each gene exists in two alleles.
Dominant (lat. (= dominare rule): an allele is more involved the training of a
characteristic as the other. The characteristic dominant allele is dominant.
Recessive (lat. (= recedere withdraw): the characteristic unterlegene
(suppressed) allele is called recessive .
Identification of homozygous gene for red color Tt Tt Tt Tt
gene: red color (phenotypically visible)
R: maternal allele for red color
R: paternal allele for red color
Marking of the heterozygous gene for red color
gene: red color (phenotypically visible)
w: maternal allele for white color (recessive)
R: paternal allele for red color (dominant)
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 GENETIC CROSS

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All the genetic crosses shown
below will involve examples
Punnett square using pea plants, which can be
1. A cross between a tall (T) of dwarf (t) – tall is
dominant to dwarf. 2. A cross between two heterozygous
pure-breeding tall pea plant and a
tall pea plant.
pure-breeding dwarf pea plant.
The genotype of both plants must be Tt.
As tall is dominant to dwarf, and both
plants are pure-breeding, their •Examiner’s tips
genotypes must be TT and tt. When you rite out a genetic
cross, make sure you state
what the symbols
represents, e.g. T=tall,
t=dwarf.
•Make sure you label each
line in the cross (phenotype,
genotype…).
•It’s a good idea to circle
gametes to show that
meiosis has happened.
•Read the question really
carefully – are you asked to
state the outcome in terms
of the genotype or the
phenotype?
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3. A cross between two heterozygous tall pea
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plant.
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The heterozygous tall pea plants must be Tt.
The dwarf pea plants must be tt.

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