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Understanding Genetics: Key Concepts and Crosses

May 10, 2025

Genetics Review Lecture

Introduction

  • Resources for biology review, including GIFs, study tips video, and "Stroll Through the Playlist".
  • Focus on genetic problems: Mendelian and non-Mendelian crosses, pedigrees.
  • Five preliminary points before starting.

Preliminary Points

  1. Tools Needed: A sheet of paper and writing utensil.
  2. Vocabulary: Assumes prior knowledge of genetic terms.
  3. Symbols: Focus on concepts, not symbols (e.g. superscripts, different letters).
  4. Probability: Punnett squares show probability, not certainty.
  5. Complexity of Genetics: Includes polygenic traits, pleiotropy, epistasis, and epigenetics.

Mendelian Genetics

One-Trait (Monohybrid) Crosses

  • Example: Guinea pigs with allele "H" for hair.
  • Genotypes: HH, Hh, hh.
  • Cross hairless guinea pig (hh) with heterozygous (Hh).
  • Resulting genotype ratio: 1:1 (Hh: hh).
  • Phenotype ratio: 1:1 (hair: hairless).

Two-Trait (Dihybrid) Crosses

  • Example: Cats with traits for hair and love of sinks (fictional).
  • Heterozygous genotype: HhSs.
  • Cross HhSs with HhSs using a 16 square box.
  • Gamete combinations using FOIL: HS, Hs, hS, hs.
  • Resulting phenotype ratio: 9:3:3:1 for heterozygous two-trait cross.

Non-Mendelian Genetics

Incomplete Dominance

  • Intermediate phenotype (e.g., pink snapdragons from RR and rr).
  • Genotype ratio from two pink snapdragons (Rr): 1 RR: 2 Rr: 1 rr.
  • Phenotype ratio: 1 red: 2 pink: 1 white.

Codominance

  • Both traits expressed fully (e.g., BW for black and white speckled chickens).
  • Genotype ratio from cross of black (BB) and speckled (BW) chickens: 1:1.
  • Phenotype ratio: 1:1 (black: speckled).

Multiple Alleles

  • Example: Blood types A, B, AB, O.
  • Heterozygous Type B x Heterozygous Type A: 25% chance of Type O offspring.

Sex-Linked Traits

  • Traits often on X chromosome (e.g., hemophilia).
  • Male with disorder: XhY.
  • Female with disorder: XhXh.
  • Male children inherit X from mother, Y from father.
  • Example cross: hemophilia male (XhY) x homozygous dominant female (XHXH) = 0% chance of disorder.

Pedigrees

  • Track traits using shaded (recessive) and unshaded (dominant) shapes.
  • Circles = females, Squares = males.
  • Autosomal recessive traits: shaded shapes must be "ee".
  • Determine genotypes by starting with shaded shapes.
  • Example of deducing non-sex-linked trait from pedigree analysis.

Conclusion

  • Recommended resources and further practice.
  • Importance of understanding genetics and its applications.

"Stay Curious!" - Amoeba Sisters