Introduction to Genetics and Patterns

of Inheritance
5 Complex Patterns of Inheritance
REVIEW Recall the definition of the Review Vocabulary term.
VOCABULARY
gamete
gamete

NEW VOCABULARY Use your book to define each term.

incomplete dominance
incomplete dominance
codominance
multiple alleles
epistasis
sex-linked traits
polygenic trait codominance

multiple alleles

epistasis

sex-linked traits
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polygenic trait

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5 Complex Patterns of Inheritance (continued)
Analyze the ratios of offspring of the following snapdragon pairs. Hint:
To write the genotypes, designate the dominant red allele as CRCR
and the recessive white allele as CWCW.

Parent Genotypes of Ratio of

Punnett Square
Flowers Parent Flowers Offspring
red and CRCR × CWCW CR CR 4 pink
white  CW CRCW CRCW
 CW CRCW CRCW
pink and
white

red and pink

pink and
pink

Predict the results if two people who are heterozygous for sickle-cell
disease but lead normal lives have a child.

Identify the blood group that results from each combination of

genotypes. The first one has been done for you.

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Possible Genotype Combinations Phenotypes

A and A A

A and B

A and O

B and B

B and O

O and O

Science Notebook • Introduction to Genetics and Patterns of Inheritance

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 5 Complex Patterns of Inheritance (continued)
Get It? Explain how the genetic traits carried on multiple alleles can
lead to a wide range of characteristics in humans.

Analyze the role of each item in inheritance. Give an example of a

trait governed by each process.

Role in Inheritance Example

Epistasis

Polygenic traits

X-chromosome
inactivation

X-linked traits

Identify environmental influences that can affect phenotype.

External factors Behaviors

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1.  1. 
2.  2. 

Describe the use of twin studies in the study of genetics by

completing the paragraph.
Scientists use twin studies to determine whether influences on a trait
are or . If a high percentage of
but not express a trait, there is a
strong chance that the trait is .

Science Notebook • Introduction to Genetics and Patterns of Inheritance

145
5 Complex Patterns of Inheritance (continued)
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
1. Describe two patterns of complex inheritance and explain how they are different
from Mendelian patterns.

2. Explain How is epistasis different from dominance?

3. Determine the genotypes of the parents if the father is blood type A, the mother is
blood type B, the daughter is blood type O, one son is blood type AB, and the other
son is blood type B.

4. Analyze how twin studies help to differentiate the effects of genetic and
environmental influences.

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5. Evaluate t he influence of environmental factors on why the trait for sickle-cell
disease might be an advantage in central Africa.

6. What is the chance of producing a son with normal vision if the father is color blind
and the mother is homozygous normal? Explain.

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