Chapter 2

- is a branch of biology that deals with the

study of heredity
- Gregor Johann Mendel , the father of
genetics, established the basic laws of
inheritance (garden peas)
 Mendelian Genetics
-reviews the basic laws of inheritance
 Molecular Genetics
-deals with the chemical nature of the
gene, the mechanisms of transmission,
and its varied application
 Population Genetics
-focuses on the behavior of a particular
gene in a group of organisms and how
gene frequency is affected by
environmental factors
 Gregor Mendel’s principles form the base
for the understanding of heredity and
variation. Although Mendel’s work failed to
discuss thoroughly the ‘factors’ or genes he
mentioned in his laws of inheritance, his
findings prompted other scientists to probe
further into the mystery of heredity.
 Chromosome Theory of Inheritance

-they found the best evidence that an inherited

trait is determined by chromosomes
1. Pink four o’clock flowers are obtained from a
cross between pure bred red flower plant and
white flower plant. What is the genotype of the
pink flowers?
2. The structure of the DNA is actually in a double
helix arrangement. The nitrogen bases in each
of the chain can only pair with specific bases,
like adenine pairs only with thymine and
cytosine pairs only with guanine. If the left
chain of a DNA molecule has the nucleotide
sequence CCGTAGGCC, what is the sequence of
the right chain of the DNA molecule?
 In some aliens, one center horn (A) is
codominant with two horns (B). If an alien
inherits both alleles (AB), then the alien has
three horns. A recessive allele (O) results in
an alien which has no horns. Can you match
the genotype to each of the pictures below?
Write the genotype and phenotype of the four
aliens in the box provided
• Rule of Unit Factors in Pairs
• Principle in Dominance and Recessiveness
• Law of Segregation
• Law of Independent Assortment
 Heredity- passing of characteristics from
parents to offsprings
 Variations- differences among individuals
belonging to the same species
 Alleles – contrasting forms or expressions of
a trait, which are either dominant or recessive
 Gene – segment of DNA located in a
chromosome
 Sex Chromosomes determine the sex of an
individual
 Punnet Square is the method by which one
can determine the possible genotypes and
phenotypes when two parents are crossed
 Gamete- are reproductive cells that unite
during sexual reproduction to form a new cell
called zygote
 But what are genes?
How do they work?

Of what material are genes made?

How does the genetic material produce the
characteristics of an organism?
How is the genetic code passed from parents
to offspring?
 DNA contains the information needed to form
and control the physical make-up and
chemical processes of an organism.
-is a double-stranded helix made up of
repeating units of nucleotides.
 A nucleotide is composed of the following:
sugar and phosphate molecules, and
nitrogeneous bases. The base can either be
adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine.