Inheritance
Inheritance refers to the process by which
genetic information, encoded in DNA, is
passed from one generation to the next.
Introduction To Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology that studies
inheritance.
Inheritance refers to the transmission of
characteristics from parents to offspring.
These characteristics are called traits, such as
height, eye color, and intelligence.
Parents pass characteristics to their offspring
through gene transmission.
During fertilization, an equal number of
chromosomes from each parent combine.
Chromosomes carry the units of inheritance
called genes.
Chromosomes And Genes
Genes consist of DNA and contain instructions for
protein synthesis.
Chromosomes are studied to understand the nature and
working of genes.
Body cells have a constant number of paired
chromosomes, with 23 pairs in humans.
Homologous chromosomes separate during meiosis and
enter into gametes.
Chromosomes are made of chromatin material, which is
a complex material made of DNA and proteins.
DNA wraps around histone proteins to form
nucleosomes, which look like "beads on a string."
Nucleosomes and DNA between them condense into
compact forms to create chromosomes
Chemical composition of chromosome
The Watson and Crick model of DNA
How Does the DNA of
Chromosome work?
DNA is the genetic material that contains
instructions to direct all cell functions.
DNA gives instructions for the synthesis of
specific proteins.
Proteins perform structural roles and act as
enzymes to control biochemical reactions of
cells.
DNA controls all cell functions, making it
responsible for the traits and characteristics
of cells and organisms.
1. Traits are determined by specific proteins,
which have a specific number and sequence
of amino acids.
2. DNA controls the sequence of amino acids
through the sequence of its nucleotides.
3. During protein synthesis, the sequence of
DNA nucleotides is transcribed into mRNA
nucleotides in a process called transcription.
4. mRNA carries the nucleotide sequence to the
ribosome.
5. The ribosome reads the mRNA sequence and
joins specific amino acids together to form a
protein in a process called translation.
Working of DNA (also called the Central
Dogma)
Gene & Loci
A gene is a part of DNA that contains
instructions for the synthesis of a particular
protein.
Each chromosome contains thousands of
genes.
Genes occur in pairs, with one gene located
on each homologous chromosome.
The locations or positions of genes on
chromosomes are known as loci (singular:
locus).
Location of alleles on
chromosomes
Genes & Allels
Each gene determines a specific trait in an organism
Each individual carries at least one pair of genes for
each trait
Pairs of genes are represented by letters or symbols
Both members of a gene pair may be the same (AA,
aa, BB) or different (Aa, Bb)
Different forms of a gene are called alleles
Alleles are located on homologous chromosomes
Alleles separate during meiosis and each gamete
receives one allele
Offspring receive one allele from each parent
Genotype and its Types
Genotype refers to the specific combination of genes
in an individual
There are two types of genotypes: homozygous and
heterozygous
Homozygous genotype has two identical alleles (AA
or aa)
Heterozygous genotype has two different alleles (Aa)
For the trait of albinism, represented by alleles 'A' and
'a', three genotypes are possible: AA, Aa, and aa
Homozygous genotype masks or prevents the
expression of the other allele
Heterozygous genotype has one dominant allele and
one recessive allele
Dominant alleles & Recessive alleles
Dominant alleles are represented by capital letters, while
recessive alleles are represented by lowercase letters
Albinism is a recessive trait, expressed when both alleles
are recessive (aa)
In humans, allele 'A' produces normal body pigments,
while allele 'a' does not produce pigments
Genotypes AA or Aa produce pigments, while genotype aa
does not produce pigments, resulting in albinism
Allele 'A' dominates over 'a', suppressing its effect in the
Aa genotype
The expression of genotype as a physical trait is known as
the phenotype
A dominant allele only suppresses the expression of a
recessive allele, it does not change its nature