Mendel’s Law of Inheritance
Genotypes, Phenotypes & Punnett
Square
Edited by: Jessica Hawley
Compiled by: Hailey Haberman
Objectives:
Explain Gregor Mendel’s laws of inheritance
Discuss the difference between genotypes and phenotypes
Label the three types of genotypes
Draw and label a Punnett square
Predict outcomes of a Punnett square
Mendel
Modern genetics had its beginnings in an abbey garden, where
a monk named Gregor Mendel documented a particulate
mechanism of inheritance.
He discovered the basic principles of heredity by breeding
garden peas in carefully planned experiments.
His approach to science had been influenced at the University
of Vienna by one of his professors: the physicist Doppler.
Mendel’s work
In order to study inheritance, Mendel chose to use peas,
probably as they are available in many varieties.
The use of plants also allowed strict control over the mating.
He chose to study only characters that varied in an ‘either-or’
rather than a ‘more-or-less’ manner.
Genetic crosses
To cross two different pea plants,
Mendel used an artist’s brush.
He transferred pollen from a
true breeding white flower to
the carpel of a true breeding
purple flower.
Tracking Characteristics
Mendel tracked heritable characters
for 3 generations.
When F1 hybrids were allowed to
self-pollinate a 3:1 ratio of the 2
varieties occurred in the F2
generation.
Mendel’s terminology
True breeding: When the plants self-pollinate, all their
offspring are of the same variety.
Hybridization: Mating, or crossing, of two varieties.
Monohybrid cross: A cross between two parents that breed
true for different versions of a single trait.
Mendel’s terminology
P generation: True breeding parents.
F1 generation: (first filial) Hybrid offspring of the P
generation.
F2 generation: (second filial) Offspring from the self-
fertilisation of the F1 hybrids.
What is Genetics?
All body cells contain “Blueprints” with instructions as to
how an animal will look or act etc.
One Gene comes from each parent (pairs)
Genes are divided into sections (Chromosomes) that carry
genes
Sex chromosomes: Male = XY, Female = XX
Genotypes
The genotype refers to the entire set of genes in a cell, an
organism, or an individual. A gene for a particular character
or trait may exist in
two forms; one is
dominant (E) and the
other is recessive (e).
Dominant and Recessive Genes
Dominant Genes
One gene overshadows the other.
Recessive Gene
The gene that is overshadowed by a dominant gene.
Examples of Genotypes
There are three basic genotypes for a particular
character:
AA = homozygous dominant
Aa = heterozygous
aa = homozygous recessive
Phenotypes
Phenotype is the physical appearance
or other characteristic of an organism
as a result of the interaction of its
genotype and the environment.
Some examples would be:
•Size
•Shape
•Color
The Punnett Square
Is a square grid used in genetics to calculate the frequencies of
the different genotypes and phenotypes among the offspring of
a cross
Genotypes and Phenotypes
of Offspring's
Use a Punnett Square
Punnett Square Example
A A
a
a
Traits for color
Punnett Square Example Cont..
A A
a Aa Aa
a Aa Aa
The male genotype is normally indicated at the top and the
female genotype is indicated in the vertical margin.
homozygous dominant parents (PP x PP), all offspring will
be homozygous dominant polled individuals.
When crossing homozygous recessive parents (pp x pp), all
of the offspring will be horned (homozygous recessive)
individuals.
Crossing a heterozygous parent with a homozygous dominant
parent (Pp x PP), the expected offspring would occur in a
1:1 ratio of homozygous dominant to heterozygous
individuals.
Phenotype:
All offspring would be polled.
Punnett Square Example
We have a Angus Bull and a Charolais Cow.
The Angus (black) is Homozygous Dominant
The Charolais (white) is Homozygous Recessive
How would you set up the Punnett Square?
When crossing a homozygous dominant parent with a
homozygous recessive parent (PP x pp), all offspring would
be heterozygous and polled.
If two heterozygous parents are crossed (Pp x Pp), one can expect
a genotypic ratio of 1:2:1, with one homozygous dominant polled,
two heterozygous polled, and one homozygous recessive horned
individuals.
The expected phenotypic ratio of offspring would be 3:1 (polled
to horned).
Lets Practice
http://glencoe.mcgraw-
hill.com/sites/0078759864/student_view0/unit3/chapter1
0/virtual_labs.html#
Objectives
Explain Gregor Mendel’s laws of inheritance
Discuss the difference between genotypes and phenotypes
Label the three types of genotypes
Draw and label a Punnett square
Predict outcomes of a Punnett square
