The principles and mechanism of inheritance

Dominant genes - gene which expresses the trait it control when paired with a dominant gene or recessive gene. - show their effects whenever they are present. Recessive gene - gene which expresses the trait it control when paired only with a recessive gene. - show their effects in absence of dominant gene

Dominant trait

Recessive trait

Mechanism of Trait Inheritance

A capital letter is used for the dominant gene. A small letter is used for the recessive gene. Examples: D gene for the presence of dimples d gene for no dimples C gene for curly hair c gene for straight hair

HOMOZYGOUS

A person who has two IDENTICAL genes

Examples: DD or dd CC or cc Which one is homozygous dominant and homozygous recessive?

HETEROZYGOUS A person with two DIFFERENCES genes

Examples : Dd Cc

PHENOTYPE

The observable characteristics of an organism Examples: Colour of eyes, the hair type, colour of the skin

GENOTYPE

The type of gene The genetic composition of an organism Examples: DD, Dd, dd

Monohybrid Cross
A cross carried out to study one trait of inheritance The offspring of the first generation of the cross forms the first filial generation(F1) The cross between F1 will produce the second filial generation(F2)

GREGOR MENDEL (1822-1884)

The first scientist to study about inheritance He investigated the inheritance of certain traits of garden peas.

PEA PLANT

First filial generation of monohybrid cross The purple flower trait is dominant (PP) The white flower trait is recessive (pp)
Parental phenotypes: Purple flower Parental genotype: PP
P

White flower X
p

pp
p

F1 Generation :

Pp

Pp

Pp

Pp

Genotype ratio : All Pp

Phenotype ratio : All have purple flower

Second filial generation of monohybrid cross F1Generation : P Pp p X Pp p

Gametes :

F2 Generation: PP Genotype ratio: 1 PP

Pp : 2 Pp :

Pp

pp : 1 pp

Phenotype ratio: 3 Purple

1 white

EXERCISE

1)Form 4 groups 2)Each group has to discuss each question given and present in front of the class. 3)Refer your textbook if necessary.

In the pea plant, the gene for round seed (R) is dominant to the gene for wrinkled seed (r). a) If a homozygous round seeded pea plant is crossed with a wrinkled-seeded plant, what will be the phenotype of the F1 plants? b) If the F1 plants are self-pollinated, what will be the genotype and phenotype ratios of the F2 plants?

In the pea plant, the gene for purple flower (P) is dominant to the gene for white flowers (p). A cross between a pea plant with purple flowers and pea plant with white flowers produces offspring of which half have purple flowers and half have white flowers. What are the genotypes of the parents? Illustrate your answer with the help a schematic diagram.