CHAPTER HEREDITY
HERDITY/ INHERITANCE----- Transfer of traits from parents to offsprings
VARIATIONS--- Differences among individuals of a species
Genetics—The branch of biology that deals with heredity and variations
Father of Genetics- Johann Gregor Mendel
Variations are prominent in sexually reproducing population than asexual
Variations are prominent in animals than plants.
Due to inheritance .we inherit a common body design with subtle changes
In each generation variations are created and in the successive generation the old variations are
inherited along with creation of new ones
Accumulation of variations over generations become the basis for evolution.
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-----------Mendel proposed Laws of Inheritance
He chose pea plants for his experiment. The scientific name of pea plant is Pisum sativum
Reasons for choosing pea plant
1. Annual plant
2. Self pollinated plant
3. Can accept cross pollination
4. Dormancy period negligible
5. Showed sharp contrasting traits
Contrasting Traits
1. Length of pea plant --Tall/Dwarf
2. Colour of the flower—Violet/white
3. Shape of the seed—Round /Wrinkled
4. Colour of the seeds-Yellow/Green
Terms related to Genetics
Homozygous/Pure breed
When factors for a trait are similar it is called Homozygous
Ex- Length of the pea plant=TT,tt
1. Heterozygous/Hybrid
When factors for a trait are not similar it is called Heterozygous
Ex- Length of pea plant- Tt
2. Phenotype- External appearance of an organism
3. Gentype- Genetic make up of an individual
4. Monohybrid Cross- Cross between two parents that differ in only one trait.
5. Dihybrid Cross- Cross between two parents that differ in only two traits.
Mendel’s Experiment with pea plants
Monohybrid cross
Monohybrid Cross explains Law of Dominance
LAW OF DOMINANCE
When factors for a trait are dissimilar, the dominant traits will express over the recessive trait
In the F1 generation all pea plants obtained were of the genotype (Tt)
He did not find midway characteristics
In the F2 generation,3/4 plants were tall and 1/4 plants were dwarf. Indicating that a recessive
trait can express only when both the factors are recessive.
Dihybrid Cross
F2 generation Phenotypic ratio 9:3:3:1
9- Round and Yellow 3- Round and Green 3- Wrinkled and Yellow
1-Wrinkled and Green
Dihybrid Cross explains that traits are inherited independently
Law of Independent Assortment – During inheritance of 2 or more traits, one pair of contrasting
trait is independent of the other
For ex. Shape of the seed is independent of the colour of the seed
Thus traits are not linked with each other, they can make new combinations other than
parental combinations
How are traits expressed
Mendel proposed inheritance of traits from parents to offspring by heredity units called
FACTORS
Sutton and Boveri found similarities between factors and chromosomes
Johannsen used the term GENE instead of factors
GENE- A small section of DNA that codes for one protein is called gene of that protein
Gene is the unit of inheritance
Gene control traits
For ex. Plant growth is controlled by the amount of growth hormones
If the amount of growth hormone is more
Indicates efficiency in DNA copying
Thereby normal gene is produced
Thereby more growth
Plant is tall
For ex . Plant growth is controlled by the amount of growth hormones
If the amount of growth hormone is less
Indicates inefficiency in DNA copying
Thereby alternate gene is produced
Thereby less growth
Plant is dwarf
SEX DETERMINATION IN HUMAN BEINGS
In Human beings sex is determined genetically
There are 23 pairs of chromosomes present in humans
22pairs—AUTOSOMES
1 pair—SEX CHROMOSOMES/ALLOSOMES
Females have a perfect pair/homogametic pair-XX
Males have a mismatched pair/heterogametic pair XY
The sex of the individual depends on the chromosomes inherited from father
If the sperm carrying X chromosome is inherited-Girl (XX)
If the sperm carrying Y chromosome is inherited-boy (XY)
The probability of girl to boy is 1:1
Snails the sex is not genetically determined
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