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Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of a Punnett Square?
What is the purpose of a Punnett Square?
What is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics called?
What is the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics called?
What is the Law of Independent Assortment?
What is the Law of Independent Assortment?
What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?
What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous?
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What type of inheritance involves multiple genes influencing a single trait?
What type of inheritance involves multiple genes influencing a single trait?
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What is the term for a trait that is influenced by genes located on sex chromosomes?
What is the term for a trait that is influenced by genes located on sex chromosomes?
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What is the result of incomplete dominance?
What is the result of incomplete dominance?
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What is the term for when more than two possible alleles exist for a gene?
What is the term for when more than two possible alleles exist for a gene?
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Study Notes
Genetic Inheritance and Variation
- Genetics is the study of heredity and variation of inherited characteristics.
- Genes, which are segments of DNA, determine specific traits and are passed from parents to offspring.
- Alleles are different forms of a gene, and each individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent.
Mendelian Inheritance
- Gregor Mendel's experiments with pea plants established the principles of inheritance.
- Mendel's Laws:
- Law of Segregation: Each individual has two alleles for each gene, which segregate during the formation of gametes.
- Law of Independent Assortment: Genes for different traits can segregate independently during the formation of gametes.
Genotypes and Phenotypes
- Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism.
- Phenotype: The observable characteristics of an organism, influenced by genotype and environment.
- Homozygous: Two identical alleles for a trait.
- Heterozygous: Two different alleles for a trait.
Punnett Squares
- A tool used to predict the probability of certain traits in offspring based on the genotypes of the parents.
- Monohybrid Cross: A cross between individuals focusing on one definable trait.
- Dihybrid Cross: A cross focusing on two different traits.
Non-Mendelian Genetics
- Some traits do not follow Mendel's principles and are influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance) or by gene-environment interactions.
- Incomplete Dominance: Neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blend of traits.
- Codominance: Both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype.
- Multiple Alleles: More than two possible alleles exist for a gene (e.g., blood type).
Sex-linked Traits
- Traits associated with genes located on sex chromosomes.
- X-linked traits are more common in males due to the presence of a single X chromosome.
Mutations and Genetic Disorders
- Mutations are changes in DNA sequence, which can lead to genetic disorders.
- Some genetic disorders are inherited, while others occur due to new mutations.
DNA Structure and Function
- DNA is composed of nucleotides, each containing a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
- The sequence of bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) encodes genetic information.
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of genetics, including genes, alleles, and the study of heredity and variation of inherited characteristics.
