Lecture 02 - More on Mendelian Genetics

Monohybrid Cross for Stem Height

o Each parent has 2 copies of a gene
o Genes can have different alleles: D or d
o One allele from each parent is passed on to the child
o One allele is dominant to the other (D is dominant to d)
o DD or Dd = tall
o DD x dd gets all Dd (one D, one d)
o Dd x Dd gets DD, 2 Dd, dd
3 tall (DD + Dd + Dd), 1 short (dd)
Mendels Postulates
o Unit factors in pairs (DD)
Genetic characteristics controlled by genes (unit factors) that exist in pairs
o Dominance/Recessiveness (Dd)
When two unlike alleles for single character are present, one is dominant
to the other
o Random Segregation (equal chance of D or d)
During pollination, genes separate so each gamete can get either with

equal likelihood
Modern Genetic Terminology
o Phenotype: physical characteristic (tall/short)
o Genotype: the genetic constitution (DD, Dd, dd)
o Alleles: alternative versions of a gene (in diploids, there are two alleles of every
gene) (D or d)
o Homozygous: having identical alleles for a given gene (DD or dd)
o Heterozygous: having different alleles for a given gene (Dd)
Punnett Square

o
Test Cross
o Breed the offspring (to parent or to homozygous recessive as needed) to test
o Just do a Punnett Square and see what you get
Mendels Postulates
o Unit factors (genes) in pairs (AA)
Basis is that there are homologous pairs of chromosomes in diploids
o Dominance/Recessiveness (Aa)
o Segregation (A or a has equal chance of being transmitted to progeny)

Homologous Pairs of Chromosomes in Diploids

o Humans, n=23 chromosomes
o n = the haploid number
o Humans are diploid: 2n=46 chromosomes total
o Homologous chromosomes look similar
o Homologous chromosomes have same genes, but may have different alleles
How are new cells made?
o Cells reproduce during the Cell Cycle
G1S (Synthesis)G2M (Mitosis)
Homologous chromosomes replicated during S phase (Synthesis)
Each chromosome goes from 1 chromatid to 2 sister chromatids
o | and | X and X
Chromosome separation/segregation happens in mitosis
Meiosis: Sexual Reproduction
o 1 Chromatid to 2 Sister Chromatids in each chromosome
o Mitosis I: Each daughter cell ONLY HAS 1 CHROMOSOME (of the pair)
o Mitosis II: The sister chromatids split apart into each daughter cell
o NET RESULT: | | (parent cell) X X (parent cell) X (1 of 2 daughter cells of
Meiosis I) | (1 of 4 daughter cells of Meiosis II)
Mitosis vs. Meiosis
o Mitosis: One 2n to one 2n
o Meiosis: One 2n to two n (Meiosis I) to four n (Meiosis II)
Dihybrid Cross
o Cross two traits (e.g. shape AND color)
o Noticed that the F2 group had new arrangements of the traits
o 9:3:3:1 Phenotype Ratio
Product Law of Probabilities
o When two independent events occur simultaneously, the combined probability is
equal to the product of their individual probabilities
o P(A and B) = P(A) * P(B)
Mendels 4th Postulate
o Independent Assortment
During gamete formation, segregating pairs of unit factors (genes) assort
independently of each other (usually)
EXCEPTION: If theyre close together on the chromosome, you
might have them cross over together, or if theyre on the same
chromosome, theyll physically assort together