LESON 3&4: SIMPLE PATTERNS OF INHERITANCE
HEREDITY – traits are passed on from parents to offspring. The passing on of
genes from parents to offspring
VARIATION – means demonstrates differences among individuals.
GENETICS – is the study of heredity and variation or it is the science of heredity.
It aims to understand how traits can be passed on to the next generation and
how variation arises.
The Chromosome
All living things contain what we call the genetic material that serves as
the set of instructions that direct the activities and functions of the cells. These
genetic materials, also known as the DEOXYREBONUCLEIC ACID or DNA, are
passed on from one generation to the next generation to ensure the continuity of
life.
Table 1. Chromosomal numbers of selected organisms.
Organism Chromosome number
Saccharomyces cerevisiae 32
(common yeast)
Caennorhabdites elegans 12
(roundworm)
Drosophila melanogaster 8
(fruit fly)
Canis lupus familiaris 52
(dog)
Homo sapiens 46
(man)
Arabidopsis thaliana 10
(mouse ear cress)
Oryza sativa 24
(rice)
Zea mays 20
(corn)
TRAITS - are the observable characteristics of an organism.
JOHANN GREGOR MENDEL – the father of modern genetics
Mendel paved the way to our understanding of how traits are passed on
from one generation to another.
He is an Augustinian Monk of St. Thomas’s Abby in Brno, Czech Republic.
It is in this monastery’s garden where Mendel performed his experiments
on garden peas.
Mendel choose pea plants as his specimen.
MENDEL CHOSE GARDEN PEAS FOR THE FOLLOWING REASON
1. Variation or the presence of contrasting forms among species was
evident.
2. Sample produced a big number of spring.
3. Short cycle makes it possible to observe several generations.
4. Handling and care are not so difficult to manage.
MENDEL’S PRINCIPLES
1. PRINCIPLE OF UNIT CHARACTER – states that within the peas are
factors (genes) which control the expression of hereditary traits,
and that these factors occur in pairs.
2. PRINCIPLE OF DOMINANCE AND RECESSIVENESS – which
states that one factor (gene) in a pair may mask the expression of
the other. A factor may be dominant or recessive. In a pair of
factors that causes a certain trait to appear, the dominant factors
cover up the effect of the recessive factor.
3. LAW OF SEGREGATION AND INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT –
which states that a pair of factor (genes) is segregated, or
separated during the formation of gametes. During the formation of
gametes (meiosis), the two factors for each trait separate and
independently assort into separate gametes. Each gamete contains
only one copy of each factor.
MENDELIAN’S GENETICS KEY WORDS
PEDIGREE- A diagrammatic representation of a family's genetic
history, showing the transmission of traits across generations.
CHROMOSOMES- thread-like structures made of DNA.
GENES: the fundamental units of heredity.
ALLELE – An allele is one of a pair, or series, of genes signifying a
particular
Trait.
DOMINANT- the allele that expresses itself at the expense of an
alternate allele.
RECESSIVE – an allele whose expression is suppressed in the
presence of a dominant allele. Or may only be expressed in the
absence of dominant allele.
PHENOTYPE - this is the trait that can be seen. The physical trait of
an organism as brought about by its genetic make-up and can
expressed in its appearance. The observable traits or characteristics
of an organism, resulting from its genotype and influenced by
environmental factors.
GENOTYPE – the combination of genes of an organism. The genetic
makeup of an organism, consisting of the alleles it inherits from its
parents.
HOMOZYGOUS OR PURE – if alleles for trait are identical or the
same. Having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g.,
homozygous dominant or homozygous recessive).
HETEROZYGOUS- when its two alleles for a particular trait are
different.
. Having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., one
dominant and one recessive allele).
GENOTYPIC RATIO- The ratio of different genotypes produced by a
genetic cross, representing the probability of each genotype
occurring among the offspring.
PHENOTYPIC RATIO- The ratio of different phenotypes produced
by a genetic cross, representing the probability of each phenotype
occurring among the offspring.
PROBABILITY- The likelihood or chance of a particular outcome
occurring, often expressed as a fraction or percentage.
TEST CROSS
1. MONOHYBRID CROSS- is a cross involving a single trait
determined by a single gene with two alleles.
- A genetic cross involving only one trait.
2. DIHYBRID CROSS - a cross between individuals that involve two
heterozygous pairs of gene.
- A genetic cross involving two different traits.
STEPS IN SOLVING A GENETICS CROSS
a. Prepare a key
b. Write the genotypes of the parents
c. Determine the types of gametes produced by each parent
d. Interpret the results in terms of genotypic and phenotypic
ratios
e. Answer the questions asked in the problem.
Test cross can be seen by using the PUNNET SQUARE
PUNNET SQUARE – is a graphical way of predicting all of the possible
combinations of genotypes that can occur in offspring.
- A diagram used to predict the possible genotype combinations of offspring
from a genetic cross between two parents.
REGINALD CRUNDALL PUNNET - introduced the punnett square in the early
1900s
