Mendel’s Genetics Date: 2-26-14

Who was Gregor Mendel? An Austrian Monk – Studied botany and plant breeding 1865 Published his work on the behavior of genes His work still is very important today

What was Mendel’s work? Discovered genes were found inside the cell He used pea plants to figure out: Organisms get two genes for each trait (each parent) One gene may be Dominant (stronger) One gene may be Recessive (“hidden”/weaker)

Where are genes located? The nucleus of a cell contains genetic material DNA Chromosomes Genes

What is a Chromosome? Chromosomes are just DNA wrapped together in a different way Look at the picture on the next slide to help you understand…

What are genes made of? Genes are short sections of chromosomes Made of DNA

Do genes come in pairs? YES Since chromosomes come in pairs (one from mom, one from dad) Genes come in pairs

Do All Organisms have the same number of chromosomes? No! Chromosome Numbers Plants Mammals Reptiles Cucumber 40 Beaver 36 Boa Constrictor 24 Pine Tree 60 Bison 22 American Toad 48 Potato 38 Domestic cat 80 Sugar Cane 48 Chimpanzee Fish 78 Dog 46 Small-mouth bass Birds 56 Elephant 48 Bluegill 80 Canary 30 Giraffe 84 Trout 68 Dove 64 Horse 80 duck, mallard 46 Human Insects 80 duck, redhead 38 Tiger 446 Butterfly 78 Raven 32 Walrus 6 Mosquito 44 Killer Whale 2 Roundworm

What is an Allele? Alleles are different versions of a gene Every gene has two or more versions Example: T = blue tail t = orange tail