BIOL 2340

LECTURE 2
MENDEL’S FIRST LAW
Preamble: Basic Principles of Heredity
What causes differences and similarities in appearance amongst successive
generations?
Gregor Mendel (1822-1884), an Augustinian monk and plant breeder,
discovered the Basic Principles of Genetics during the mid-nineteenth
century.
Four important concepts can be outlined from an analysis
of Mendel’s work:
Each individual diploid organism possesses two
alleles for any particular characteristic.
The Concept of
Dominance
Some Common Terms and Definitions used in Genetics
TERM DEFINITION
Gene A hereditary unit that, in the classical sense, occupies a specific position (locus) within the
genome or chromosome, which codes for the production of a specific protein or RNA.

Allele An abbreviation of the word “allelomorph” – one of a series of possible alternative forms of a
given gene, differing in DNA sequence, and affecting the functioning of a single product

Locus The position that a gene occupies in a chromosome or within a segment of genomic DNA

Genotype The genetic constitution of an organism, as distinguished from its physical appearance or
phenotype
Heterozygote A diploid or polyploid individual that has inherited different alleles at one or more loci and
therefore does not breed true
Homozygote Having identical rather than different alleles in the corresponding loci of homologous
chromosomes and therefore breeding true
Phenotype (trait) The observable properties of an organism, produced by the genotype in conjunction with the
environment
Characteristic (character) Any detectable phenotypic property of an organism
Diploid The chromosome state in which each type of chromosome is represented twice (2n)

Haploid The gametic chromosome number (n)