General Genetics (Bio-208)

• Week 9: Non-Mendelian inheritance ( Allelic

Variability and functions of genes)
Department of Biological Sciences, 1443 H

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Non-Mendelian inheritance
Mendel’s model of inheritance assumes
that:
ü each trait is controlled by a single gene
ü each gene has only 2 alleles
ü there is a clear dominant-recessive
relationship between the alleles,
complete dominance.
.

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 Mendel’s model
Dominance relationship
1- Complete dominance

• found in Mendel’s experiment.

• In heterozygous condition each trait has two alleles one of them is dominant completely,
in which expressed over a second allele which is called recessive.

• So RR or Rr has the same phenotype.

• The recessive allele appears just in homozygous condition (rr).

• the dominant allele expresses itself while there is no expressive activity of the recessive
allele except when exist as homozygous. 3
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• But most genes do not meet these criteria
It’s not always Dominant/Recessive!
Non-Mendelian Inheritance Patterns

1. Incomplete Dominance
2. Codominance
3. Lethal alleles
4. Multiple Alleles
5. Polygenic Traits
6. Sex-Linked Traits
7. Pleiotropy
8. Environmental effects on gene expression
9. Linkage

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non- mendelian inheritance start
1- Incomplete dominance

• When a dominant allele is not completely

expressed over recessive allele in heterogenous
condition, rather the two alleles combine and
CR
CW
display a new trait by mixing of the two alleles

• For example, Antirrhinum majus, the gene of

CR CW
color has two alleles CR CW
• CR CR has red phenotype
• CW CW has white phenotype
• First generation is CR CW Hybrid Pink

F2
• Incomplete dominance, F2 has three phenotype
CR CW CR CW CW CW while in Mendel’s experiment F2 has two phenotype.
CR CR
• The ratio is 1:2:1

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• Example: snapdragons (flower)
• red (RR) x white (rr)

r r
• RR = red flower
• rr = white flower R

R
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 r r

Rr Rr produces the
R
F1 generation
R Rr Rr All Rr = pink
(heterozygous pink)

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Self cross Test cross

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 2- Codominance
Gametes LM LN
Each allele of the gene is fully expressed in heterogenous
LM LMLM LMLN condition. As a result, the phenotype of the offspring is a
combination of the phenotype of the parents. Thus, the trait
LN LMLN LNLN is neither dominant nor recessive.

For example:

A- Gene for Blood group system in humans has two alleles

N, M resulting NN, MM, NM. In heterogenous condition
alleles N and M are expressed to an equal degree within an
organism. N or M is a surface molecule (called antigen) on
their red blood cells.
B- Roan shorthorn cattle have codominant genes for hair
color.

Codominance, F2 has three phenotype instead of two in Mendel’s experiment. 10

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 C- Checkered Chickens have codominant genes for hair color
vBB = all black feathers
vWW = all white feathers
vBW = both black & white feathers (speckled)

vNotice –
NO GRAY!
NO BLEND!
Each feather is
either black or white

Codominance, F2 has three phenotype instead of two in Mendel’s experiment.

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 D- Rhododendron have codominant genes for flower color
vR = allele for red flowers
vW = allele for white flowers
vCross a homozygous red flower
with a homozygous white
flower.

Codominance, F2 has three phenotype instead of two in Mendel’s experiment.

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3- Lethal gene or lethal alleles

• a gene or alleles that in homozygous (pure) conditions

may prevent development or cause the death of an
organism.

• Lethal alleles may be recessive, dominant, or conditional

depending on the gene or genes

• for example, The agouti gene in mice is largely responsible

for determining coat color. Its example of Lethal alleles
being recessive.

• Mice dead when Lethal alleles exist as homozygous Ay Ay

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4- Multiple Alleles

• Sometimes there are more than two

alleles present in the gene pool for a
gene, resulting 4 or more possible
phenotypes exist within a
population
• Blood type
• Fur in mammals
• Eye & hair color

(NOTE: You still only

get TWO alleles!!!
One from mom and one
from dad)

http://www.learner.org/interactives/dna/genetics8.html
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A- Blood Types (A, B, AB, O)
Rules for Blood Types: (geno = pheno)
A and B are co-dominant (Both show)
IAIA = type A
IBIB = type B
IAIB = type AB
A and B are both dominant over O
(Regular dom/rec)
IAi = type A
IBi = type B
ii = type O
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Multiple Alleles: Blood Types (A, B,
AB, O)

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DAT
 Allele
(antigen Can Can
Possible ) on Donate Receive
Genotype(s RBC Blood Blood
Phenotype ) surface To From
IAi
A IAIA A A, AB A, O
IBi
B IBIB B B, AB B, O
A, B,
AB IAIB AB AB AB, O
A, B,
O ii O AB, O O
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 Rh Surface Protein

• In addition to the “A” and “B” proteins on the surface of red

blood cells, there is another protein called “Rh”. It is called
this because it was first discovered in the blood of the rhesus
monkey.
• If a person’s red cells have the Rh protein, then they are typed
“positive”.
• If a person’s red cells lack the Rh protein, then they are typed
“negative”.
• Having the Rh protein is dominant to lacking it.
• The genotype for Rh+ is either RR or Rr.
• The genotype for Rh- is rr.

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How is a person’s blood type
determined?
• When an incompatible blood type enters a person’s
body, the immune system produces antibodies to
fight the blood cells. Antibodies bind to the A, B
and/or Rh proteins on the surface and cause the
blood to clump. This clumping is called agglutination.
• Blood types are determined by mixing a blood sample
with antibodies to see if clumping occurs.

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Agglutination

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B- Fur colors in Rabbit (determined by 4
alleles):
full color (C), chinchilla (cch), Himalayan (ch), albino (c)

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