Genetics, study of heredity in general and of genes
in particular. It is one of the central pillars of biology
and overlaps with many other areas, such as
agriculture, medicine, biotechnology.
Heredity, natural process by which physical and
mental qualities are pass from a parent to its
offspring; sum of the characteristics and
potentialities genetically derived from one’s
ancestors.
Chromosomes – pair of filamentous materials
which are composed of coiled strands of DNA.
DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid, which is considered
as the blueprint of the body / genetic material of
living things. It is made up of nucleotides, which
consists of sugar, phosphate groups and
nitrogenous bases.
GENE – consist of sections of DNA strand.
 Traits are determined by the genes of the
chomosomes.
Factor / Allele – pairs of gene that occupies a
particular locus in the chromosomes
Locus – certain site or location at which alleles are
found in a chromosome
 Defined: Tightly coiled DNA
 Forms during cell division
-New chromosomes created for new cells
 2 Parts:
-1) Chromatids: two identical parts of a
chromosome
-2) Centromere: Joins chromatids together
TERMS in GENETICS
Phenotype – observable characteristics of an
individual; physical expression
Example: skin color- fair; eye shape- round
Genotype – genetic information carried by a pair of
alleles, which determines a particular characteristic
Example: skin color- FF; eye shape – Rr
Dominant – a gene whose effect is shown in
individual whether its alleles are the same or
different. Written in uppercase (R).
Recessive – a gene whose effect is shown in the
individual only when its alleles are the same.
(double recessive condition) Written in lower case
(r).
Homozygous – describing an individual in whom
the members of a pair of genes determining a
particular characteristic are identical (Example:
RR, TT, rr, tt)
Heterozygous – describing an individual in whom
the members of a pair of genes determining a
particular characteristic are dissimilar (Example:
Rr, Tt).
Dominant and Recessive Genes
 Gene that prevents the other gene from
“showing” – DOMINANT GENE
 Gene that does NOT “show” even though it
is present – RECESSIVE GENE
 Symbol – Dominant gene – upper case
letter – T
- Recessive gene – lowercase letter – t
Gregor Mendel
- His work on pea plants, discovered the
fundamental laws of inheritance. He
deduced that genes come in pairs and
are inherited as distinct units, one from
each parent. Mendel tracked the
segregation of parental genes and their
appearance in the offspring as dominant
or recessive traits. He recognized the
mathematical patterns of inheritance
from one generation to the next.
Mendelian Genetics 3. Law of Dominance & Recessiveness
- Dominant traits are manifested and
1. The Law of Segregation
recessive traits are hidden unless both
- States that only one number of allelic
recessive traits passes on to offspring.
pair of chromosomes or genes will end
up in a gamete in the process of
meiosis.

Meiosis – the original number of chromosomes

found in every individual is reduced to half through
the egg cell and sperm cell. The union of cells
resumed the original number of chromosomes.
(Fertilization)
This happens when TT and tt will separate.
2. The Law of Independent Assortment
- Genes are assorted independently
during meiosis. (happens in metaphase
Mendelian Experiment
1)
- States that the alleles of two (or more)
different genes get sorted into gametes
independently of one another
- States that each trait can be inherited,
but not both of them will show in the
physical appearance of the offspring.
Metaphase 1: alignment of chromosomes in the
metaphase plate where they replicate in
preparation for metaphase 2.
IN SHORT, THE CHANCES OR PROBABILITY
4. The Law of Chance Recombination
- Points out that the egg or sperm cells
combine by chance during fertilization
without regard to the nature of the
hereditary units they carry.
1. Monohybrid cross
- Refers to the cross of two organisms
involving only one trait. In his
experiment, Mendel focused on height,
specifically if its either tall or dwarf.
2. Dihybrid Cross
- Involves two traits.
Ex. TTYY – tall yellow petalled plant
ttyy – dwarf wihte petalled plant