Heredity Flashcards
(36 cards)
Gene:
Genetic material on a chromosome that contains the instructions for creating a particular trait
Allele:
One of several variations of a gene
Locus:
• Location on a chromosome where a gene is located
Every gene has a unique locus on a particular chromosome
Homologous Chromosomes:
Pair of chromosomes that contains the same genetic information (gene for gene)
Law of Segregation:
• One chromosome from a pair of homologous chromosomes migrates to an opposite pole
Each gamete contains only one copy of each chromosome (and allele)
Law of Independent Assortment:
When homologous chromosomes separate, they do not influence which pole any other chromosome pairs go to
Incomplete Dominance:
• Both alleles expressed as an intermediate
i.e. Red + white= pink
Codominance:
• Both alleles are completely expressed
i.e. Blood type
Agglutination
Clumping of blood that results when antibodies attack antigens on foreign blood types
Epistasis:
• One gene affects the phenotypic expression of another gene
• Often seen in pigmentation
○ One gene turns the production of a pigment on or off
○ Second gene controls colour or amount of pigment produced
If first gene codes for no pigment, expression of second gene has no effect
Pleiotropy:
• Single gene has more than one phenotypic expression
Seems to be responsible for several different characteristics
i..e Gene that codes for whether a seed is round or wrinkled also affects starch metabolism
Opposite of Polygenic inheritance
Pleiotropy and Sickle Cell Disease
Allele incorrectly codes of Hb
□Causes RBC to become sickle shaped
Results in damage to heart, lugs kidneys…etc
Polygenic Inheritance:
Many traits are not just expressed in 2 or 3 varieties
i.e. Height is expressed as a continuous variation from very short to very tall
Continuous variation usually results from polygenic inheritance
○ Interaction of many genes to shape a single phenotype
Opposite of pleiotropy
Linked Genes
• Linked genes reside on the same chromosome
• Cannot segregate independently because they are physically connected
Genes that are linked are usually inherited together
Recombination Frequency:
Greater recombination frequency= greater distance between genes
The greater the distance between 2 genes on a chromosome, the more places between the genes that the chromosome can break
(More likely that the 2 genes will cross over during synapsis)
Linkage Map
○ Chromosome map created based on recombination frequencies of different genes
Determines sequence of genes on a chromosome
Cytological map
Map portraying the true relative positions of genes
Sex-Linked Inheritance:
Sex linked/X-linked genes are genes that reside on the X chromosome
Y linked genes are also possible, but rare because there are very few genes on the Y chromosome
Sex linked genetic defects are more common in males than females
X-Inactivation:
• In females, one X chromosomes in each cell does not uncoil into chromatin
Instead, forms a Barr body
• Only the allele of the gene on the active X chromosome are expressed • One random X chromosome becomes inactive, subsequent daughter cells will have the same X inactivated (not all cells in females are identical)
Barr Body
Chromosome remains as a dark, compact body
Mostly inactive X chromosomes
Genes not expressed
X Inactivation- Calico Cats
X chromosome with yellow allele inactivated
- Black allele on active chromosome is expressed
X chromosome with black allele inactivated
- Yellow allele on active chromosome expressed
Different cells with different X inactivated results in patches
Non-Disjunction
Failure of one or more chromosome pairs/chromatids to properly segregate
Non-Disjunction During Meiosis
Failure of homologous chromosomes (anaphase I) or chromatids (anaphase II) to segregate
Produced gametes with extra or missing chromosomes
Non-Disjunction During Mitosis
○ Failure of 2 chromatids (during anaphase) to segregate
○ Produces daughter cells with extra or missing chromosomes
Results in mosaicism