The Science of Genetics
Mendelian genetics is the study of genetic inheritance patterns that were first described by Gregor Mendel in the 19th century. Mendel's experiments with pea plants showed that certain traits, such as flower color and seed shape, were passed down from parent plants to their offspring in predictable patterns.
Mendel's work laid the foundation for our understanding of genes and how they are inherited. His experiments showed that each individual has two copies of each gene, one inherited from each parent. These genes can be either dominant or recessive, and the dominant gene will always be expressed over the recessive gene. For example, if a person inherits one dominant gene and one recessive gene for brown eyes and blue eyes, respectively, they will have brown eyes.
Mendelian genetics also describes the principle of segregation, which states that during the formation of gametes (sperm and egg cells), the two copies of each gene separate so that each gamete contains only one copy. This means that when two gametes combine during fertilization, the resulting offspring will have two copies of each gene.
Mendelian genetics can be used to predict the probability of certain traits being passed down from parents to their offspring. Punnett squares are often used to illustrate these probabilities. For example, if one parent has two copies of a dominant gene for a particular trait and the other parent has two copies of the recessive gene, all of their offspring will inherit one dominant gene and one recessive gene, resulting in a 100% chance of having the dominant trait.
While Mendelian genetics provides a simplified view of genetic inheritance, it is still an important foundation for understanding more complex genetic traits and diseases.
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