1. Genetics Notes

2. How do we inherit traits? Heredity is defined as the passing of traits from parent to offspring. We have_2_ genes for every trait (one came from your mom and the other came from your dad )

3. What traits can you inherit? (Circle the traits that you can inherit.) Eye colorHeightFavorite food Having a tattoo Ear type Your cloths Favorite music Hair color Can roll tongue

4. More Traits to consider….

5. What are genes? -Genes are segments of DNA that carry hereditary instructions to code for traits. Genes are located on chromosomes. An allele is different forms of the same gene. Alleles can be dominant or recessive.

6. Dominant vs. Recessive Dominant trait: The trait observed when at least one dominant allele for a characteristic is inherited. Represented by a capitol letter. Recessive trait: The trait that is apparent only when two recessive alleles for the same characteristic is inherited.

7. Genotype vs. Phenotype The genotype is the genetic make-up of an organism (in letters). The genotype is the inherited combination of alleles. The phenotype is an organisms inherited physical appearance.

8. Homozygous vs. Heterozygous Genotypes can be described as homozygous. Homozygous is When an organism has two alleles that are the _same. Another word for homozygous is purebred Ex: TT ; GG ; dd Genotypes can be heterozygous. When an organism has two alleles that are different. Another word for heterozygous is hybrid Ex: Tt ; Gg ; Dd

9. Important Scientist in Genetics Gregor Mendel is considered the father of genetics. He used pea plants to study the way traits are passed from one generation to the next. He was the first to discover how some traits are dominant over others.

10. Important Scientist in Genetics Reginald Punnett developed a square that is used to visualize all the possible combinations of alleles in offspring resulting from a genetic cross.