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Genetics is the study of trait inheritance through genes, with key concepts including alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes. Gregor Mendel's principles, such as the Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment, explain how traits are passed down. Various inheritance patterns, including incomplete dominance and sex-linked traits, along with factors like DNA mutations, can influence genetic outcomes.

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11 views1 page

Untitled Document

Genetics is the study of trait inheritance through genes, with key concepts including alleles, genotypes, and phenotypes. Gregor Mendel's principles, such as the Law of Segregation and Law of Independent Assortment, explain how traits are passed down. Various inheritance patterns, including incomplete dominance and sex-linked traits, along with factors like DNA mutations, can influence genetic outcomes.

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unknown.33
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Genetics and Heredity

Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring. The basic unit of
heredity is the gene, a segment of DNA that codes for a protein. Gregor Mendel, the father of
genetics, discovered principles of inheritance using pea plants.

Key concepts:

●​ Alleles: Different versions of a gene (dominant or recessive).​

●​ Genotype: The genetic makeup (e.g., Aa, AA, aa).​

●​ Phenotype: The physical expression of the genotype.​

●​ Homozygous: Two identical alleles (AA or aa).​

●​ Heterozygous: Two different alleles (Aa).​

Mendel’s Laws:

1.​ Law of Segregation: Each individual has two alleles for a gene, and these separate
during gamete formation.​

2.​ Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits can segregate
independently during the formation of gametes.​

Punnett Squares are used to predict genetic outcomes. Other types of inheritance include:

●​ Incomplete dominance: Blending of traits (e.g., red + white = pink).​

●​ Codominance: Both traits show (e.g., AB blood type).​

●​ Sex-linked traits: Found on sex chromosomes, often X-linked (e.g., color blindness,
hemophilia).​

DNA mutations, meiosis errors, and chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome) can
affect inheritance.

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