What are the similarities and differences between the segregation of genes and that of

chromosomes?

According to Bhan (2018), the following similarities between the segregation of genes and
chromosomes are the following:

1. The chromosomes occur in pairs in the cell, so do genes.

2. Homologous chromosomes pair during meiosis, and only one member of each pair find its way
into a given germ cell. Genes segregate from one cell to another similarly.
3. The spatial arrangement of any given chromosome pair on the spindle is independent of all
chromosome pairs' arrangement. Genes are also supposed to assort themselves
independently.
4. Through fertilization, the original number of chromosomes is restored in the zygote. Similarly,
genes (pairs of contrasting characters) are reduced to one-half of their original number during
germ cell formation and restored by fertilization.

The following differences between the segregation of genes and chromosomes were noted by Gupta
(2017):

 Different chromosomes always segregate independently

 Different genes may or may not segregate independently

The chromosomal segregation mechanism always separates chromosomes randomly (independently),

as whole chromosomes are moved as a unit.
The segregation of genes is caused by a different mechanism that resides on the same chromosome.
It sends only large pieces of the chromosome to different daughter cells. Each piece contains many
genes, so the genes do not separate within a piece, so do not segregate independently.
When two genes are on different chromosomes, they segregate independently because their
chromosomes segregate independently. When two genes are on the same chromosome, they do not
segregate independently since they may end up on their chromosome's same segregating piece.

3. What would be the probability of having two children showing the dominant character and two
children showing the recessive character if the parents are both heterozygous for one allelic pair of
genes?

A a
A AA Aa
a Aa aa

Phenotypic ratio: 1:2:1

Genotypic ratio: 3:1
If the parents are both heterozygous for one allelic pair of genes, the probability of having two
children showing the dominant character and two children showing the recessive character
would be 75% and 25%, respectively.
References:
Bhan, P. (2018, May 13). Biology Discussion. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from
https://www.biologydiscussion.com/mendel/comparison-mendels-theory-and-
chromosomes-behaviour/37067
Gupta, V. (2017, October 22). Biology Stack Exchange. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from
https://biology.stackexchange.com/questions/67065/behaviour-of-chromosomes-and-
genes