Chapter 12 Patterns of Inheritance

The idea that an organism inherits its physical traits from its parents is a very old one, but the scientific basis for this is relatively new.

Bonus topics:
epistasis in corn mechanism of self-fertilization in pea plants (Fig 12.3)
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Gregor Mendel and his fabulous peas!

Mendel was an Austrian monk who used peas to figure out basic rules of genetics-without knowing anything about genes or chromosomes! Fig. 12.2,3

Peas also had several discrete traits that were easy to count and that varied in Mendels population
Fig 12.4

+ short generation time

P = parental generation F1 = first filial (sons) F2 = second filial (F1 generation mating among selves) true-breeding = all progeny (offspring) look like parents dominant = purple (this example) recessive = white

Fig. 12.5

Alleles = different versions of genes Locus = location of allele on chromosome

T T

T t

Homologous chromosomes: each has same genes and in same order - but each might differ in what version of the gene it carries two alleles of same type for a gene = homozygous (TT or tt) two alleles of different type for a gene = heterozygous (Tt)

t t

Genotype determines phenotype!

T T

genotype = genetic composition phenotype = the physical manifestation of the alleles that are expressed (i.e., trait, what you look like)

T t

t t

Mendelss purple & white flowers genotypes of individuals: PP or Pp or pp phenotypes generated: purple flower or white flower PP Pp pp purple flower purple flower white flower

Fig. 12.6b

Punnett squares

This is a way of predicting all possible progeny. This example = cross of Pp x Pp will yield ratio of 1:2:1 genotypes ratio of 3:1 phenotypes (if one trait is dominant and the other is recessive)
Fig. 12.6a

genotypes of the F1 generation? phenotypes of F1 generation genotypes of the F2 generation? phenotypes of F2 generation?

Testcross: can tell you genotype

Fig. 12.10

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Some traits in humans coded for by genes that work by simple dominance:

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Pedigree analysis is used to track inheritance patterns in families.

Fig 12.7: Dominant pedigree for hereditary juvenile glaucoma.

Fig 12.8: Recessive pedigree pedigree for albinism. heterozygous unaffected individuals are called carriers

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Dihybrid cross: examination of 2 separate traits in a single cross - for example: RRYY x rryy F1 generation of this dihybrid cross shows only the dominant phenotypes for each trait Principle of Independent Assortment: In a dihybrid cross, the alleles of each gene assort independently.
Fig. 12.9

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The F2 generation is produced by crossing members of the F1 generation with each other or allowing self-fertilization of the F1 - for example RrYy x RrYy The F2 generation shows all four possible phenotypes in a set ratio: 9:3:3:1

Fig. 12.9
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Mendels first law of heredity: The Principle of Segregation Two alleles for a gene segregate during gamete formation and are rejoined at random, one from each parent, during fertilization. Mendels second law of heredity: The Principle of Independent Assortment: The alleles of each gene assort independently.

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Probabilities

You can use probabilities to predict frequency of particular genotypes or phenotypes. In this example, each parent is Pp. The probability of a pp kid is: of Dads gametes will be p of Moms gametes will be p therefore the probability of this Mom and Dad producing a pp is x =

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Probability: Predicting Results

Rule of addition: the probability of 2 mutually exclusive events occurring simultaneously is the sum of their individual probabilities. When crossing Pp x Pp, the probability of producing Pp offspring is probability of obtaining Pp (1/4), PLUS probability of obtaining pP (1/4) + =

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Rule of multiplication: the probability of 2 independent events occurring simultaneously is the PRODUCT of their individual probabilities. When crossing Rr Yy x RrYy, the probability of obtaining rr yy offspring is: probability of obtaiing rr = probability of obtaining yy = probability of rr yy = x = 1/16

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Not all traits are discrete (have it or dont) Continuous variation: quantitative traits usually controlled by many genes (polygenic) also skin color, weight Pleiotropy: one gene codes for multiple traits example: cystic fibrosis (one mutation gives you sticky mucus, salty sweat, liver failure, etc.)
Fig. 12.11
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Incomplete dominance: the heterozygote is intermediate in phenotype between the 2 homozygotes

Fig. 12.13

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Codominance: the heterozygote shows some aspect of the phenotypes of both homozygotes
Fig. 12.13

The human ABO blood group system demonstrates: dominance and codominance: IA and IB are dominant to i but codominant to each other multiple alleles: there are 3 alleles of the I gene (IA, IB, and i)
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Environmental effects:
the expression of some genes can be influenced by the environment for example: coat color in Himalayan rabbits and Siamese cats due to an allele that produces an enzyme that allows pigment production only at temperatures below 30oC

Fig. 12.14

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Epistasis:
one gene can interfere with the expression of another gene the products of some genes interact with each other and influence the phenotype of the individual

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Terms (this list not inclusive!):

self-fertilizion cross-fertilizion true-breeding reciprocal crosses monohybrid cross dihybrid cross F1 generation 1st filial generation F2 generation testcross dominant recessive gene alleles homozygous heterozygous genotype phenotype polygenic inheritance continuous variation quantitative traits incomplete dominance codominance environmental influences epistasis
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