Unit 4.3 - Inheritance Flashcards
Heredity and genetics
the study of inheritable characteristics
phenotype
appearance/characteristics that are controlled by genes
genotype
total alleles possessed by the organism
alleles
different versions of the same gene
example of alleles
different alleles for different eye colours
what are the two possible types of alleles?
dominant and recessive
dominant allele
always expressed in the phenotype (represented by a capital letter)
what type of allele is always expressed in the phenotype and which type isn’t?
dominant is, recessive isn’t
recessive allele
only expressed in the absence of the dominant allele (represented by a lowercase letter)
alleles for the number of fingers gene
5, 6 (rare)
alleles for the freckles gene
present or absent
alleles for the rhesus blood group gene
positive, negative
what is the rhesus blood group gene?
gene that codes for a protein in the cell membrane of blood cells
how are some genes different to others expressed in the phenotype? give an example
some may be hidden and are part of our biochemical makeup so we have the test for them. for example, rhesus blood group
who was darwin influenced by for many of his ideas for the theory of evolution?
gregor mendel
why was it difficult for gregor mendel to come up with his laws?
the chromosomes hadn’t been discovered and nobody knew about meiosis etc
what did gregor mendel use to come up with his laws? how?
pea plants and he compared their colours and seed shapes to come up with the laws of inheritance
what type of laws did gregor mendel come up with?
the laws of inheritance
Mendel’s first law
an organisms characteristics are determined by factors which occur in pairs. only one of a pair can be found in a single gamete
Mendel’s second law
either member of an allelic pair may combine randomly with either of another pair
gene
a length of DNA on a chromosome normally coding for a specific polypeptide
locus
a specific position on a chromosome where a gene is located
alleles
different forms of the same gene
what is an allele always represented as?
a single letter
dominant allele and how its represented
will always be expressed in the phenotype when present
represented by a capital letter
recessive allele and how its represented
will be “hidden” when a dominant allele is present in the heterozygote. a recessive allele will only be expressed when it is homozygous
represented by a lower case letter
codominant
alleles that are equally expressed in a heterozygote (both versions of the gene expressed in the phenotype)
phenotype
the characteristic of an organism resulting from both its genotype (inherited) and the effects of the environment (its not just controlled by genes!)
what does a phenotype result from?
both an organisms genotype and its environment
genotype
the genetic make-up of an organism i.e - its alleles
always a pair of letters
what is a genotype always?
a pair of letters
homozygous
both alleles for a gene are identical
heterozygous
both alleles for a gene are different
F1
the first filial generation - the offspring of the parents in a genetic cross
F2
the second filial generation - the offspring of an F1 plant that is self-fertilised or a cross between twp members of the F1 generation
autosomes
chromosomes which are not sex chromosomes
sex chromsomes
chromsoomes which determine the sex of an individual organism (x and y)
what are the 2 types of sex chromosomes?
x and y
what are the two types of chromosomes?
autosomes
sex chromosomes
give an example and explain a codominant allele
snapdragons
by crossing a red flower with a white flower, a pink flower is obtained
therefore, both alleles have been expressed in the phenotype
homologous chromoeomes
carry the same genes at the same loci
what’s different between homologous chromosomes
there may be different alleles of the same genes
compare the dna from one chromatid to the other within one chromosome
the dna in each chromatid is identical
true breeding/pure breeding
homozygous for every gene
=offspring with the same phenotype
what happened when mendel crossed a pea plant which was true breeding for tall plants with a pea plant that was true breeding for short plants? what happened then when the F1 generation were crossed?
the f1 generation were all tall
the f2 generation showed a mix of tall and short plants
what are the steps to solving genetics problems?
- choose a letter to represent the alleles (Capital = dominant, lower-case = recessive)
- the phenotype is the characteristic you see
- the genotype is always a pair of alleles (two letters)
- the gamete is always a single allele (one letter)
if the parent phenotypes are tall x short, give an example of the parent genotype followed by the gametes
TT x tt
T and T x t and t
describe the phenotype of F1
100% the dominant phenotype
when can an f2 cross happen?
when an f1 plant is self-pollinated (Selfing)
what is the phenotype that is expressed in the F1 generation
dominant
the dominant what is always expressed in the f1 generation?
phenotype
how do we end up with a short plant (not the dominant phenotype)?
both alleles have to be recessive
describe f1 offspring that have the genotype Tt and explain why you say this
heterozygous
(have 2 different alleles)
monohybrid ratio of an f2 cross
3 dominant phenotypes: 1 recessive phenotype
ratio of tall to short plants in an f2 cross
3 tall : 1 short
probability of tall and short plants in an f2 cross
75% tall
25% short
what is mendel’s first law also known as?
the law of segregation
give mendel’s first law in terms of genes
the characteristics of an organism are determined by facrors (genes) which occur in pairs. only on member of a pair of factors (genes) can be represented in a single gamete
which stage of meiosis creates the law of segregation?
metaphase 1
why is it metaphase 1 of meiosis that creates the law of segregation?
since homologous chromosomes - and hence allele pairs - are separated in meiosis 1
what does the law of segregation not take into account?
crossing over - it assumes that the alleles stay on the same chromosomes
how is each allele for a trait packaged following meiosis 1?
into a separate gamete
what is packages into separate gametes following meiosis 1?
each allele for a trait
monohybrid inheritance
the inheritance of a single gene
monohybrid cross
the inheritance of a single characteristic
how many characteristics are passed on during each cross and how many did mendel focus on for his experiments?
thousands during each cross
mendel focused on the inheritance of single characteristic in some of his experiments
examples of monohybrid crosses
flower colour
seed colour
what did mendel follow 2 of in some of his experiments?
the inheritance of 2 different characters
dihybrid cross
the inheritance of 2 different characteristics
example of a dihybrid cross + explain
seed colour and seed shape
each of these 2 genes (the gene for colour and the gene for shape) have 2 different alleles
how are f1 when we self-pollinate and why?
heterozygous since they have the genotype of both parents
why are f1 heterozygous?
they have the genotype of both parents
what is the ratio we get every time when we cross two heterzygotes?
9:3:3:1
when do we always get the 9:3:3:1 ratio?
when we cross two heterzygotes
how come genes assort in the gametes independently in a dihybrid cross?
they are on different chromsomes and independent assortment during meiosis occurs
how do genes assort in gametes? use the example of YyRr assorting into gametes
YR, Yr, yR, yr
how do group alleles in a dihybrid cross table?
group alleles of the same gene together
how many different possible gametes do we need to get the correct ratio in a dihybrid cross and how many squares is this in a punnet square?
4 different gametes
16 square punnet square
what is mendel’s second law of inheritance also known as?
the law of independent assortment
where do we see the chromosomal basis of mendel’s law?
2nd law of inheritance
what is mendel’s 2nd law of inheritance the basis of?
independent assortment in meiosis
what can we have because of independent assortment?
can have any combination of 4 alleles which will be evenly distributed
how come we can have any combination of 4 alleles which will be evenly distributed?
because of independent assortment
how can we prove that f1 is heterozygous? explain
cross the heterozygous with a homozygous recessive
the ratio of phenotypes will be 1:1:1:1
if it were homozygous, all would appear as the dominant one does
how many gametes are there if there’s only 2 alleles?
one
how can we determine whether the results of a cross differ significantly from the expected results?
can perform a statistical test known as the chi^2 test
how do we work out the expected numbers for the chi^2 test?
1 - add up each value for each phenotype
2 - divide by 16 (the number of possible results to an F1 cross)
3 - multiply the answer by the 9:3:3:1 ratio
what type of answers should the expected numbers come out as during the chi^2 test?
a similar set of results to the actual number
chi^2 formula
x^2 = sum of (O-E)^2/E
what is a statistical test designed for?
to test a null hypothesis
what is the null hypothesis in genetics?
there is no significant different between the observed and expected results
what does the chi^2 test test?
the null hypothesis of genetics
what do we do once we have a value for chi^2?
refer it to the chi^2 table
what do we normally have a probability level of in genetics and what does this mean?
5%
we can be confident to a limit of 5% that the results will be expected
how do we use the probability level of 5% on the chi^2 table?
use 0.05
how do we determine which degrees of freedom to use on a chi^2 table?
number of different categories (phenotypes) - 1
how do we get a critical value on a chi^2 table?
wherever the probability of 0.05 and the correct degree of freedom meet
what is the name for the value where the probability of 0.05 and the correct degree of freedom meet on a chi^2 table?
the critical value
what do we use the critical value of a chi^2 table for?
to decide whether we accept or reject the null hypothesis
how do we know whether to accept or reject the null hypothesis?
if out chi^2 value is below the critical value (Even by a little bit), we accept the null hypothesis
How do we test whether a parent has the correct genotype for breeding?
Cross it with a homozygous recessive
What is the only variety that will produce offspring with the same genotype as both parents?
Homozygous recessive
In which situation would Mendel’s principle of independent assortment hold true for all dihybrid crosses?
If each chromosome only had one gene locus
Dihybrid
Genes on different chromosomes
When does Mendel’s 2nd law apply?
When we’re looking at genes that are carried on different chromosomes
Why is Mendel’s 2nd law not perfectly applicable to reality?
In reality, each chromosome carries many different genes and these are inherited together during meiosis
Describe the genes that are on the same chromosome
Linked
When will independent assortment not separate genes?
If the genes we’re studying are on the same chromosome (linked)
What do linked genes not undergo?
Independent assortment
When does no exchange occur between genes?
During linkage, when there are two genes on a single pair of homologues
How many gametes can we get if genes are on separate chromosomes v.s when they’re on the same chromosome?
Separate = 4 gametes
The same = 2 gametes
What are the only gametes that we can get with autosomal linkage?
Only double dominant or double recessive
Autosomes
Non-sex chromosomes
The condition where genes are close together on the same chromosome
Linkage
Why can we only have double dominant or double recessive due to autosomal linkage?
Since these genes can’t be separated since they’re on the same chromosome
What are linked in some pea plants?
Genes for flower colour and pollen grain shape are linked
What are genes carried on the same if they’re linked?
Same autosome
Phenotype ratio for linked genes
3:1
What can’t we obtain when genes are linked and are on the same chromosome?
The usual 16 square punnet and 9:3:3:1 ratio
When don’t we get the usual 16 square punnet and 9:3:3:1 ratio?
When genes are linked (carried on the same autosome)
With linked genes, if we were to cross breed the parents, would we get intermediate phenotypes forming in the F2 generation?
Yes
What would we get if we were to cross breed parents that have linked genes in real life?
Would actually get intermediate phenotypes forming in the F2 generation even though they’re on separate chromosomes
Why would we get intermediate phenotypes forming in the F2 generation even though they’re on separate chromosomes if we were to cross breed parents with linked gens?
Due to crossing over between the homologous chromosomes
What is the ratio when crossing parents with linked genes when considering crossing over?
Still not a 9:3:3:1 ratio - closer to 3:1
Why is the phenotype ratio still 3:1 in the offspring of parents with linked genes when we consider crossing over?
Only a few of the intermediates form Because crossing over between genes is rare
What will most of the gametes be when crossing parents with linked genes?
Parental gametes
What are genes likely to do if they’re together on a chromosome?
Travel through time like this
Why do only a few intermediates form during the cross breeding of two parents with linked genes?
Because crossing over between genes is rare
What will most F2 phenotypes be when crossing parents with linked genes be?
The parental type
What is the small % that aren’t the parental type when crossing parents with linked genes due to?
Autosomal linkage
When does crossing over occur during meiosis?
Prophase I
What happens during crossing over of meiosis?
Homologous pairs of chromosomes come together and crossing over may occur between chromatids at points called chiasmata
Points at which crossing over occurs on homologous pairs of chromosomes
Chiasmata
What can happen if crossing over occurs between two genes?
It separates alleles that were previously linked and allows them to combine in new recombinant genotypes
Genotypes formed after crossing over between genes
Recombinant genotypes
How do recombinant genotypes form?
When crossing over occurs between two genes, separating alleles that were previously linked and allowing them to combine in new recombinant genotypes
Recombinant
The offspring phenotypes that are not the parental phenotypes
The offspring phenotypes that are not the parental genotypes
Recombinants
What for during crossing over?
Chiasmata
Points at which crossing over occurs?
Chiasmata
What is a homologous pair of chromosomes?
A bivalent of chromosomes in pairs
What form during crossing over?
Chiasmata
What will gametes contain following crossing over?
The single chromosomes
When are genes less likely to form recombinant chromosomes?
When they’re closer
What are closer genes less likely to form?
Recombinant chromosomes
When is the frequency of recombination low?
When genes are closer together
What are there more of with further apart genes and why?
More recombinant gametes since there are more opportunities for crossing over
When are the more recombinant gametes due to more opportunities for crossing over?
When we have further apart genes
What do more recombinant gametes lead to?
More offspring with recombinant phenotypes
What are unexpected combinations of phenotypes due to?
Genes being linked
What is responsible for less frequent phenotypes?
Crossing-over
What do linked genes lead to?
Unexpected combinations of phenotypes
What is a common explanation for rejecting a null hypothesis in a genetics experiment?
Linked genes
What are linked genes a common explanation for?
Rejecting a null hypothesis in a genetics experiment
If we have a pattern that doesn’t follow the 9:3:3:1 ratio, what is likely to be down to?
Autosomal linkage
what is codominance?
Codominance refers to inheritance patterns when both alleles in a heterozygous organism are equally expressed
What is it called when we have inheritance patterns where both alleles in a heterozygous organism are equally expressed?
Codominance
Examples of codominance
Coat colour in horses and cattle
Blood groups in humans
Explain codominance in horses and cattle
Red cot colour is co-dominant to white coat colour. Animals that are heterozygous are roan-coloured (red hair interspaced with white hair - not pink hair)
Explain codominance in human blood groups
The blood group AB is the result of two alleles, A and B, both being equally expressed in the phenotype, neither being dominant to the other
Which alleles are expressed equally in the phenotype with human blood groups and why?
A and B since neither are dominant to the other (codominance)
Which human blood group is recessive?
O
What are the codominant human blood groups and what are the recessive blood groups in humans?
A and B —> codominant
O —> recessive
Possible genotypes of blood type A
AA or AO
Possible genotypes of blood type B
BB or BO
Genotype of blood type AB
AB
Genotype of blood type O
OO
What do the sex chromosomes comprise of for females?
2 X chromosomes
What do the sex chromosomes comprise of for males?
X and Y
How is the X chromosome different to the Y chromosome?
The X chromosome is much longer than the Y chromosome
Why are sex linkage conditions more common in males?
Because the X chromosome is much longer than the Y chromosome
Explain why sex linkage conditions are more common in males due to the X chromosome being much longer than the Y chromosome
Because the X chromosome is larger, it carries more genes
If there’s a defective gene on the X chromosome, there’s no corresponding gene on the y-axis to cancel it out - the deflective gene isn’t counteracted by another dominant gene
Where are sex linked recessive alleles carried?
On the X sex chromosome
What are carried on X chromosomes?
Sex linked recessive alleles
When a sex linked recessive alleles expressed in females?
If both X chromosomes carry the allele (homozygous recessive)
Why are sex linked recessive alleles always expressed in males?
Since the Y chromosome does not have a homologous locus for the gene - there’s no second allele to be dominant over it
Example of a sex linked condition
Haemophilia
What is haemophilia an example of?
A sex linked condition
What is the haemophilia gene?
An X-linked recessive gene
Give an example of an X-linked recessive gene
The haemophilia gene
Unaffected carrier of haemophilia mother genotype
X^HX^h
Haemophilia gene notation
X^h
Unaffected by haemophilia father genotype
X^Hy
Give the genotypes for the following (haemophilia):
Unaffected son
Unaffected daughter
Affected son
Unaffected carrier daughter
X^Hy
X^HX^H
X^hy
X^HX^h
If women have one dominant copy of the normal allele, are they affected by haemophilia?
No
What does it take for a male to be affected by haemophilia? Why?
Have one copy of the recessive gene
There’s nothing along the y-chromosome to cancel it out
Describe the percentages and ratios when crossing a normal male and a carrier female of haemophilia
25% carrier female
25% normal female
25% normal male
25% haemophiliac male
1:1:1:1
What is sex linkage different to?
Autosomal linkage
Explain what haemophilia is and what it does
Is an example of a sex linked condition
Affects the clotting of the blood
Blood doesn’t clot effectively with this genotype and there’s a risk of internal bleeding and bleeding around the joints
How can we show how a condition has been carried forward through the generations?
Use a pedigree chart
Pedigree chart
A chart that diagrams the inheritance of a trait or health condition through generations of a family