Mendelian Genetics, and Pedigrees

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What is Mendelian Genetics?

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Mendelian Genetics is the study of how traits are inherited through the actions of alleles, based on the principles established by Gregor Mendel.

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What is a gene?

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A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein or set of proteins.

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What is an allele?

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An allele is a variant form of a gene that can produce different traits.

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What does homozygous mean?

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Homozygous refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene (e.g., AA or aa).

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What does heterozygous mean?

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Heterozygous refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene (e.g., Aa).

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What is a dominant trait?

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A dominant trait is one that is expressed in the phenotype even when only one copy of the allele is present.

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What is a recessive trait?

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A recessive trait is one that is only expressed in the phenotype when two copies of the allele are present.

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What is a Punnett square?

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A Punnett square is a diagram used to predict the outcome of a genetic cross by showing the possible combinations of alleles.

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What is co-dominance?

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Co-dominance is a genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, resulting in a phenotype that is neither dominant nor recessive.

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What is a pedigree chart?

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A pedigree chart is a diagram that shows the occurrence and appearance of phenotypes of a particular gene or organism and its ancestors.