1. Introduction to Genetics
HB p. 97

2. How are traits passed from parent to offspring?
A. Traits
Traits are physical or physiological characteristics of an organism
Ex. Height or blood type
Picky Eater????

3. How are traits passed from parent to offspring?
A. Traits
2. The term phenotype is used to describe the physical expression of the trait
Ex. Short/tall or Type A/Type B

4. Chemical basis of traits
DNA is the molecule that contains the information to make proteins, which control our traits

5. Chemical basis of traits
2. A section of DNA that is used to make a protein is called a gene.
There are many genes (hundreds) on a single chromosome.

6. Discuss!
How are the following terms related?
gene, DNA, chromosome

7. Chemical basis of traits
3. Eukaryotic organism’s chromosomes exist in pairs.
One is inherited from the sperm and one is inherited from the egg.
Each chromosome, in a pair, contains genes for the same traits.
This is why we call them homologous pairs.

8. Chemical basis of traits
4. Although the genes on homologous chromosomes may code for the same trait, slight differences in the DNA sequences may lead to different forms of the protein.

9. Chemical basis of traits
This creates slightly different versions of the same trait.
Each version is called an allele.
Ex. Blue and brown are two alleles of the eye color trait.

10. Fill It In …
Draw a homologous pair of chromosomes showing a different allele for eye color on each:

11. Chemical basis of traits
5. Genotype is the term used to describe the combination of alleles present in an organism’s chromosomes.
An allele is usually represented by a single letter.
Thus a genotype is usually represented by two letters.

12. Chemical basis of traits
If an individual inherits identical copies from each parent the individual is considered homozygous (pure breeding)
Ex. AA or aa
If an individual inherits a different copy from each parent the individual is considered heterozygous (hybrid)
Ex. Aa

13. Fill It In … WORD HELP: Pheno - ________________
Geno - _________________
Homo - _________________
Hetero - _________________

14. Check Yourself! Give an example (not in the notes) of a human trait.
What is a phenotype?
From where did you get each of the chromosomes in the homologous pair?
What is an allele?
What is a genotype?

15. How was the path of inheritance discovered …
in a garden in Austria!
A. Gregor Mendel
The father of genetics
Using pea plants, Mendel proved experimentally the link between meiosis, genes, and inheritance (long before we knew about DNA!)
He developed 3 basic conclusions:

16. 1. The Principle of Dominance
Certain alleles (forms of a trait) can hide/mask other alleles.
These alleles are called dominant alleles and are represented by a capital letter (A).
The alleles that may be hidden are called recessive alleles and are represented by the lower case of the same letter (a)

17. The Principle of Dominance
Thus, homozygous dominant is AA and will express the dominant phenotype.
Heterozygous individuals are Aa and will also express the dominant phenotype.
Only homozygous recessive (aa). individuals will express the recessive phenotype

18. Fill It In …
Draw a picture of a dominant and recessive trait. Write the possible genotypes under each:

19. 2. The Principle of Segregation
Alleles are not passed in pairs from one parent to an offspring.
Each parent only donates half of each offspring’s genotype (typically one allele per trait).

20. The Principle of Segregation
This is because during meiosis only one of each homologous pair of chromosomes is passed to the gamete (sperm or egg)

21. Fill It In … Based on the parent cell: A a
What are the possible gametes (after segregation in meiosis)?
A a

22. 3. The Principle of Independent Assortment
The way one pair of chromosomes is separated during meiosis does not affect the way the next pair separates.

23. The Principle of Independent Assortment
A gene for one trait is only passed in connection with a gene for a different trait if the two genes are on the same chromosome.
Genes on separate chromosomes are passed independently of each other.

24. Fill It In … Mendel’s Three Laws: D_______________ S_______________

25. Check Yourself! Name Mendel’s three principles of heredity:
What cell process allows the principle of segregation to take place?
When would a gene for one trait be passed with a gene for a different trait?