Mendelian genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. This was first figured out by Gregor Mendel in the 1800s. Here are the main ideas:
The Law of Segregation: This principle says that every person or plant has two versions (called alleles) for each trait, one from each parent. When making eggs or sperm, these alleles separate. So, each egg or sperm has just one allele. For example, if a plant has one allele for tall stems (T) and another for short stems (t), it can create eggs or sperm with either T or t.
The Law of Dominance: This law explains that some alleles are more powerful (dominant) than others (recessive). If one allele is dominant, it can hide the effect of the recessive allele. For example, if T (tall) is stronger than t (short), then a plant that has both (Tt) will be tall because T is in charge.
The Law of Independent Assortment: This principle tells us that the alleles for different traits mix together randomly when forming eggs and sperm. For example, if we look at height (T or t) and flower color (R for red, r for white), a plant that has the alleles TtRr can make eggs or sperm with combinations like TR, Tr, tR, or tr.
Punnett squares are a simple way to predict the genetic results when two plants breed. They show how alleles mix together. For example, if we cross a tall plant (TT) with a short plant (tt), the Punnett square will look like this:
| | T | T | |---|---|---| | t | Tt | Tt | | t | Tt | Tt |
All the offspring will be Tt (tall), which shows that the tall trait is stronger.
In conclusion, Mendelian genetics helps us understand how traits are passed down through generations. This allows us to see why we have certain characteristics in living things!
Mendelian genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. This was first figured out by Gregor Mendel in the 1800s. Here are the main ideas:
The Law of Segregation: This principle says that every person or plant has two versions (called alleles) for each trait, one from each parent. When making eggs or sperm, these alleles separate. So, each egg or sperm has just one allele. For example, if a plant has one allele for tall stems (T) and another for short stems (t), it can create eggs or sperm with either T or t.
The Law of Dominance: This law explains that some alleles are more powerful (dominant) than others (recessive). If one allele is dominant, it can hide the effect of the recessive allele. For example, if T (tall) is stronger than t (short), then a plant that has both (Tt) will be tall because T is in charge.
The Law of Independent Assortment: This principle tells us that the alleles for different traits mix together randomly when forming eggs and sperm. For example, if we look at height (T or t) and flower color (R for red, r for white), a plant that has the alleles TtRr can make eggs or sperm with combinations like TR, Tr, tR, or tr.
Punnett squares are a simple way to predict the genetic results when two plants breed. They show how alleles mix together. For example, if we cross a tall plant (TT) with a short plant (tt), the Punnett square will look like this:
| | T | T | |---|---|---| | t | Tt | Tt | | t | Tt | Tt |
All the offspring will be Tt (tall), which shows that the tall trait is stronger.
In conclusion, Mendelian genetics helps us understand how traits are passed down through generations. This allows us to see why we have certain characteristics in living things!