Deviations from Mendelism
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Incomplete Dominance
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Today, we're discussing incomplete dominance. Does anyone know what that means?
Is it when neither allele is completely dominant?
Exactly! In incomplete dominance, the heterozygous genotype expresses a phenotype that is a blend of both homozygous traits. For instance, if we cross a red flower with a white flower, we might get a pink flower.
So the offspring look different from both parents?
Yes! This is because the dominant allele does not completely mask the effect of the recessive one. Can anyone give another example of incomplete dominance?
I think itβs like the crossing of certain types of snapdragons!
Correct! Thatβs a great example. Remember, we can summarize this concept with the acronym βB.O.M.B.β: Blend Of Mixed Buds! Let's move on to the next topic.
Co-dominance
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Next, let's talk about co-dominance. Can someone describe what this means?
Itβs when both alleles are expressed equally, right?
That's correct! A common example is the AB blood type in humans. Both the A and B alleles are present and expressed.
So if someone has type AB blood, they have both A and B alleles?
Yes! In co-dominance, both traits are visible. Remember the phrase βA & B are Buddiesβ. Letβs proceed to our next point.
Multiple Alleles and Pleiotropy
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Now, let's discuss multiple alleles. Can anyone explain what these are?
It's when more than two alleles exist for a gene?
Exactly! In the ABO blood group system, there are three alleles: IA, IB, and i. Can anyone tell me about pleiotropy?
Isnβt that when one gene affects multiple traits?
Yes! For example, mutations in the gene responsible for cystic fibrosis can affect several systems in the body.
So one gene has many roles!
Exactly! Just remember the term βOne Gene, Many Facesβ to help you.
Polygenic Inheritance
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Letβs move to polygenic inheritance. What does this refer to?
I believe several genes contribute to one trait.
Correct! This results in continuous variation, like height or skin color. Can anyone suggest why this variation is essential?
It allows for diversity in a population!
Exactly! Remember the mnemonic βMany Genes, Many Shadesβ to recall this concept. This highlights genetic variability in species.
Review of Key Concepts
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Before we finish, letβs summarize what we learned today. Who can tell me about incomplete dominance?
Itβs where heterozygous individuals show an intermediate phenotype.
Great! And what about co-dominance?
Both alleles are expressed equally!
Perfect! Now, what is meant by multiple alleles?
More than two alleles exist for a gene, like in blood types.
And what about pleiotropy?
One gene affects multiple traits.
Finally, how about polygenic inheritance?
Multiple genes influence one trait, leading to variations!
Excellent summary, everyone! Remember these concepts as they are foundational in understanding genetics.
Introduction & Overview
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Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore key concepts that extend beyond Mendel's laws, such as incomplete dominance, co-dominance, multiple alleles, and the implications of gene interactions in determining phenotypes, highlighting the complexities of genetic inheritance.
Detailed
Deviations from Mendelism
Mendelian genetics, based on Gregor Mendelβs foundational principles of inheritance, primarily focuses on how traits are passed from parents to offspring in a predictable manner. However, genetic inheritance often shows patterns that deviate from Mendelian expectations. This section discusses such deviations:
- Incomplete Dominance: A scenario where the heterozygous phenotype is an intermediate blend of the two homozygous phenotypes. For instance, in certain flowers, a red (RR) and a white (WW) flower may produce pink (RW) offspring.
- Co-dominance: Both alleles contribute equally and visibly to the organism's phenotype. A classic example is the AB blood type in humans, where both A and B alleles are expressed.
- Multiple Alleles: A single gene may have more than two alleles contributing to its phenotype. The ABO blood group system exemplifies this, with alleles IA, IB, and i determining blood type.
- Pleiotropy: A single gene has multiple effects on different phenotypic traits. An example is phenylketonuria, where one gene affects multiple aspects of an individual's metabolic system.
- Polygenic Inheritance: Multiple genes contribute to a single phenotype, leading to continuous variation among traits, such as height or skin color.
This section emphasizes the importance of these deviations in understanding complex inheritance patterns and genetic diversity in populations.
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Incomplete Dominance
Chapter 1 of 5
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Chapter Content
β’ Incomplete Dominance: The heterozygous phenotype is an intermediate of the two homozygous phenotypes.
Detailed Explanation
Incomplete dominance occurs when the traits of two different alleles blend in the heterozygous phenotype, resulting in a characteristics that is distinct from either homozygous parent. For example, if one parent has red flowers and the other has white flowers, the offspring may have pink flowers. This means that neither of the parent traits fully dominates over the other.
Examples & Analogies
Think of it like mixing paints. If you mix red and white paint, you won't get bright red or bright white; instead, you'll get a lighter shade of red (pink). The mixed color represents the intermediate phenotype in incomplete dominance.
Co-dominance
Chapter 2 of 5
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Chapter Content
β’ Co-dominance: Both alleles contribute equally and visibly to the organism's phenotype.
Detailed Explanation
Co-dominance is a genetic scenario in which both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, leading to a phenotype where both traits are visibly present. For instance, if one parent has A blood type and the other has B blood type, their child could have AB blood type, displaying characteristics of both parents.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a plaid shirt, where you can clearly see both the red and black colors. Unlike mixing paints, where the colors blend into a new shade, co-dominance allows both colors to stand out distinctly.
Multiple Alleles
Chapter 3 of 5
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Chapter Content
β’ Multiple Alleles: More than two alleles exist for a gene, such as the ABO blood group system.
Detailed Explanation
In some genes, there are more than just two allele variations. This is known as multiple alleles. A prime example of this is the ABO blood group, where there are three alleles: A, B, and O. The ABO blood type can be determined by the combination of these alleles inherited from parents.
Examples & Analogies
Consider a menu at a restaurant that offers more than two options for each dish. Just like you can choose from multiple meal combinations, individuals can inherit multiple alleles, leading to a variety of blood types based on their genetic combinations, such as A, B, AB, or O.
Pleiotropy
Chapter 4 of 5
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Chapter Content
β’ Pleiotropy: A single gene influences multiple phenotypic traits.
Detailed Explanation
Pleiotropy occurs when a single gene affects multiple physical traits or phenotypes in an individual. For example, in humans, the gene responsible for sickle cell disease also affects other characteristics such as resistance to malaria, illustrating how one gene can have multiple effects.
Examples & Analogies
Think of the multi-talented person who excels in various fields like sports, arts, and academics. Similar to how one person's talents can affect different areas of life, a single gene can impact multiple traits in an organism.
Polygenic Inheritance
Chapter 5 of 5
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Chapter Content
β’ Polygenic Inheritance: Multiple genes contribute to a single effect, leading to continuous variation.
Detailed Explanation
Polygenic inheritance refers to a scenario where multiple genes (not just one) contribute to a single trait. This results in a continuous range of phenotypes rather than distinctly separate traits. A common example is human height, where several genes determine the overall growth, leading to a variety of heights among individuals.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine adjusting the volume on a sound system. Instead of having just two settings (on or off), you can fine-tune it by turning the dial, resulting in a smooth range of sound levels. Similarly, polygenic traits can display a spectrum of phenotypes based on the interplay of multiple genes.
Key Concepts
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Incomplete Dominance: When the heterozygous phenotype is a blend of two parental traits.
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Co-dominance: Both alleles contribute equally to the phenotype.
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Multiple Alleles: Presence of more than two alleles for a gene.
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Pleiotropy: A gene influencing multiple traits.
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Polygenic Inheritance: Multiple genes influencing a single trait.
Examples & Applications
In snapdragons, crossing a red flower with a white flower produces a pink flower due to incomplete dominance.
In the ABO blood group system, individuals can have type A, B, AB, or O blood due to multiple alleles.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
When genes combine, their traits intertwine;
Stories
Imagine a painter mixing colors - red and white create pink. This story shows incomplete dominance. Now, think of a patchy cow, where both colors show - thatβs co-dominance!
Memory Tools
Remember βM.P.I.Pβ for multiple alleles, pleiotropy, incomplete dominance, and polygenic inheritance!
Acronyms
B.O.M.B - Blend Of Mixed Buds for incomplete dominance.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Incomplete Dominance
A genetic scenario where the heterozygous phenotype is an intermediate of two homozygous phenotypes.
- Codominance
A form of inheritance in which both alleles contribute equally to the phenotype of the organism.
- Multiple Alleles
The existence of more than two alleles for a particular gene.
- Pleiotropy
A situation where one gene influences multiple phenotypic traits.
- Polygenic Inheritance
An inheritance pattern where multiple genes affect a single trait, leading to a range of phenotypes.
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