Genetics

Genetics
Unit 4
Biology for Engineers
Genetics??
It is a study of heredity i.e., the process of a parent passing certain
genes to their children
What is a Gene?
Basic unit of heredity that is passed from parent to child
Genes are made up of sequences of DNA
Genes are short pieces of DNA that carry specific genetic information
They are arranged, one after another, at specific locations on
chromosomes in the nucleus of cells.
The chromosome is made of DNA containing many genes
Functions of Genes
1. Genes control the functions of DNA and RNA.
2. Proteins are the most important materials in the human body which not only
help by being the building blocks for muscles, connecting tissue and skin but
also takes care of the production of the enzyme.
3. These enzymes play an important role in conducting various chemical

processes and reactions in the body.
4. Genes consist of a particular set of instructions or specific functions. For
example, the globin gene was instructed to produce haemoglobin.
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
What are Alleles???
• Alleles are defined as the pairs of genes, occupying a
particular spot on a chromosome
• Allele is a variant of a gene. One is inherited from the
mother and one from the father
• An individual inherits two alleles, one from each parent,

for any given genomic location where such variation
exists.
• If the two alleles are the same, the individual is

homozygous for that allele.
• If the alleles are different, the individual is

heterozygous.
• Individuals receive two versions of each gene, known as
alleles, from each parent.
• If the alleles of a gene are different, one allele will be

expressed; it is the dominant gene.
• The effect of the other allele, called recessive, is

masked.
• A pair of allele determines the same trait.

• Ex. Eye color (One allele- black color; other allele-
Brown)
Example of Dominant traits
• Almond-shaped eyes, Right handedness, Detached
earlobes, Dark hair, Brown eyes
Example of Recessive traits

• Round eyes, Left handedness, Attached earlobes, Blond
hair, red hair, Blue eyes
nMendel’s Laws of Inheritanceawf
Inheritance
• Inheritance can be defined as the process of how a child
receives genetic information from the parent.
• The whole process of heredity is dependent upon

inheritance and it is the reason that the offsprings are
similar to the parents.
• This simply means that due to inheritance, the

members of the same family possess similar
characteristics. Quiz O
In19th century, a scientist named Gregor Mendel formulated
certain laws to understand inheritance known as Mendel’s laws of
inheritance.
Between 1856-1863, Mendel conducted the hybridization

experiments on the garden peas
He selected a pea plant for his experiments for the following

reasons:
1.The pea plant can be easily grown and maintained.
2.They are naturally self-pollinating but can also be cross-pollinated.
3.It is an annual plant, therefore, many generations can be studied
within a short period of time.
4.It has several contrasting characters.
Conclusions from Mendel’s Experiments
• The genetic makeup of the plant is known as the

genotype. On the contrary, the physical appearance of
the plant is known as phenotype.
• The genes are transferred from parents to the offspring
in pairs known as alleles.
• During gametogenesis when the chromosomes are
halved, there is a 50% chance of one of the two alleles
to fuse with the allele of the gamete of the other
parent.
• When the alleles are the same, they are known as
homozygous alleles and when the alleles are different
they are known as heterozygous alleles.
• The two experiments lead to the formulation of
Mendel’s laws known as laws of inheritance which are:
1.Law of Dominance
2.Law of Segregation
3.Law of Independent Assortment
Law of Dominance
• This is also called Mendel’s first law of inheritance.
• Hybrid offspring will only inherit the dominant trait in

the phenotype.
• The alleles that are suppressed are called the recessive
traits while the alleles that determine the trait are
known as the dominant traits.
Law of Independent Assortment
Also known as Mendel’s second law of inheritance,
It states that a pair of traits segregates independently of

another pair during gamete formation.
As the individual heredity factors assort independently,

different traits get equal opportunity to occur together.
Law of Segregation
Mendel’s third law of inheritance
Also known as Law of Purity of gametes
Every individual possess two alleles and only one allele is

passed onto the offspring
Universally accepted law

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Genetics

3. These enzymes play an important role in conducting various chemical

• An individual inherits two alleles, one from each parent,

• If the two alleles are the same, the individual is

• If the alleles are different, the individual is

• If the alleles of a gene are different, one allele will be

• The effect of the other allele, called recessive, is

• A pair of allele determines the same trait.

Example of Recessive traits

• The whole process of heredity is dependent upon

• This simply means that due to inheritance, the

Between 1856-1863, Mendel conducted the hybridization

He selected a pea plant for his experiments for the following

• The genetic makeup of the plant is known as the

• Hybrid offspring will only inherit the dominant trait in

It states that a pair of traits segregates independently of

As the individual heredity factors assort independently,

Also known as Law of Purity of gametes

Every individual possess two alleles and only one allele is

Universally accepted law

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