Mendel's Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment are important ideas in genetics. They explain how traits are passed down from parents to their kids. These laws were created by Gregor Mendel in the 19th century while he was doing experiments with pea plants.
The Law of Segregation says that when sperm and egg cells are made, the two versions of a trait separate. Because of this, each sperm or egg only carries one version of each gene.
For example, if a plant has two versions for pea color—one for yellow (Y) and one for green (y)—the sperm and egg cells made will be either Y or y.
The Law of Independent Assortment explains how different traits are passed down separately. This means that how a gamete (sperm or egg cell) receives one trait does not change how it receives another trait.
Let’s look at a plant that has two traits: flower color (purple or white) and pod shape (inflated or constricted). The versions of these traits can be written like this:
The possible gametes from this plant could be YI, Yi, yI, and yi. Each of these shows how the different traits combine independently.
Understanding these laws helps us learn about how traits can vary in living things!
Mendel's Laws of Segregation and Independent Assortment are important ideas in genetics. They explain how traits are passed down from parents to their kids. These laws were created by Gregor Mendel in the 19th century while he was doing experiments with pea plants.
The Law of Segregation says that when sperm and egg cells are made, the two versions of a trait separate. Because of this, each sperm or egg only carries one version of each gene.
For example, if a plant has two versions for pea color—one for yellow (Y) and one for green (y)—the sperm and egg cells made will be either Y or y.
The Law of Independent Assortment explains how different traits are passed down separately. This means that how a gamete (sperm or egg cell) receives one trait does not change how it receives another trait.
Let’s look at a plant that has two traits: flower color (purple or white) and pod shape (inflated or constricted). The versions of these traits can be written like this:
The possible gametes from this plant could be YI, Yi, yI, and yi. Each of these shows how the different traits combine independently.
Understanding these laws helps us learn about how traits can vary in living things!