Subject Name: Genetics

Subject Code: BBT 205

Unit No: 1 Unit Name: Mendelian Genetics

Faculty Name : Dr. Priti Uchgaonkar
Unit 1: Mendelian Genetics

Faculty Name : Dr. Priti Uchgaonkar

Unit No: 1 Unit name: Mendelian Genetics

Lecture No: 2
Sub Topic Name: Mendels laws of
inheritance..
 Law of Dominance....

• In a cross of parents that are pure for contrasting traits, only one form of the trait will appear in
the next generation
• All the offspring will be heterozygous and only the DOMINANT trait will be expressed
• Example: In a cross between TT x tt, the offspring will be Tt (heterozygous tall)

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 Law of Segregation....

• During the formation of gametes

(egg or sperm), the two alleles
responsible for a trait separate
from each other
• Alleles for a trait are then
“recombined” during the
process of fertilization
producing the genotype for the
traits of the offspring.

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 Law of Independent Assortment ....

• Alleles for different traits are distributed to gametes / sex cells independently of one
another.
• This law can be illustrated using dihybrid cross
• Dihybrid cross: A breeding experiment that takes into consideration 2 traits / characters
• As per Mendels law of independent assortment, each pair of alleles segregate
independently during gamete formation
• The formula is 2n where n is the number of heterozygotes
• Example: For the alleles RrYy it will be 22 possible combinations i.e. possible 4 combinations
of gametes (RY, ry, Ry, rY)
• For the alleles PPQqRrSs, it will be 23 possible combinations i.e. 8 gametes

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 Dihybrid cross ....

• Traits: Seed shape and seed color

• Alleles: Round (RR), wrinkled (rr), yellow (YY) and green (yy)

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 Dihybrid cross ....

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 Summary of Mendels laws ....

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 Some more terminology....Incomplete dominance

• As per Mendels laws, genes independently assort with each other during meiosis.
• Incomplete dominance is when a dominant allele does not completely mask the effect of
recessive allele. Thus, the phenotype shows a blending of both the alleles. This is called as
semi-dominance / partial dominance / incomplete dominance.
• Example: In 4’o’ clock plant, red flowers are dominant over white flowers. Consider a
monohybrid cross between red flowers (RR) and white flowers (rr). If red was completely
dominant over white, the F1 generation (Rr) would yield red flowers. However, the resulting
offsprings were pink. This is because red is incompletely dominant over white.
• Incomplete dominance occurs because neither of the 2 alleles is fully dominant over the other
resulting in a phenotype that is different from both the dominant and recessive allele and
appears to be a mixture of both.

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 Some more terminology....Incomplete dominance

• This results in deviation of normal Mendelian ratios.

• In a cross between RR x rr, the F1 generation would exhibit pink flowers. In the second
filial generation, when Rr x Rr then:

Phenotypic and genotypic ratio: 1:2:1

This is an exception to typical Mendelian phenotypic ratio of 3:1

R r
R RR Rr
r Rr rr

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 Some more terminology....Co-dominance

• In co-dominance, both the alleles are expressed in the

heterozygote. This gives rise to different proportions amongst
offsprings of some genetic crosses.
• Classical example of co-dominance is blood grouping in
humans
• In humans, 4 different blood groups are seen namely A, B, AB
and O
• The gene for blood group is determined by I. so the different
alleles are IA, IB and IO. A and B forms are completely
dominant over O. However when IA and IB are in
combination, both of them equally contribute to the
phenotype resulting in the blood group AB.

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 Incomplete dominance versus co-dominance

• In incomplete dominance, there is a fine mixture of expression of 2 alleles whereas in co-

dominance there is no mixing of expression
• The effect in hybrid is intermediate of 2 alleles in case of incomplete dominance that may
result in a completely different phenotype not observed in parents
• In co-dominance, both the alleles are expressed equally.

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 Some more terminology...

• A mutation is a change in a DNA sequence. Mutations can result from DNA copying mistakes
made during cell division, exposure to ionizing radiation, exposure to chemicals called
mutagens, or infection by viruses.
• Mutations may or may not produce detectable changes in the observable characteristics (
phenotype) of an organism.
• A mutant is an organism or a new genetic character arising or resulting from an instance of
mutation. It is a characteristic that would not be observed naturally in a specimen.
• Mutants should not be confused with organisms born with developmental abnormalities,
which are caused by errors during morphogenesis. Chemicals that cause developmental
abnormalities are called teratogens; these may also cause mutations, but their effect on
development is not related to mutations. Chemicals that induce mutations are called
mutagens.

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 Some more terminology...

• Cross breeding is defined as the process or the act of producing offspring particularly through
mating two pure bred individuals that come from different breeds, varieties, or even species.
• If it is done with the intent of producing offspring that would acquire desired traits of the
parent lineages, then the process is specifically referred to as designer crossbreeding.
• This is commonly practiced by breeders, especially when the desired traits would be beneficial
to the offspring, such as when its biological fitness is enhanced.
• Although crossbreeding does result in producing better offspring and expanding the genetic
pool, cautionary measures should still be upheld.
• An irresponsible crossbreeding may also produce animals of inferior quality and could weaken
purebred gene pool.

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 Some more terminology...

• Pedigree analysis is a very important tool for studying human inherited diseases
• They are often used to determine the mode of inheritance (dominant, recessive etc) of
genetic diseases
• They consist of symbolic diagrams that make it easier to visualise relationships within
families, particularly large extended families.
• Individuals that have a family history of a specific disease or have symptoms of a specific
disorder or who are concerned about passing on genetic disorder to their children often go
for pedigree analysis

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 Pedigree symbols...

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Thank You