Mendel's laws

Question 1

What is the principle of dominance?

Answer 1

It means that genes and alleles are individual units that do not blend. The dominant alleles, acc. to Mendel, completely mask the recessive ones when present. Remember that a recessive can not be displayed, but it is not lost

Question 2

What is the principle of segregation?

Answer 2

In organisms, genes exist in pair (one from the father and one from the mother). In meiosis, alleles segregate and so each gamete contains only one allele. (you can only have one letter per gamete)

Question 3

What is the principle of independent assortment?

Answer 3

Chromosomes (gene pairs) separate independently during meiosis I (at the metaphase plate), contributing to genetic diversity…. new combinations are created

Question 4

Are dominant alleles more common in the population?

Answer 4

No. They may be more common in the crosses, but not necessarily when it comes to the phenotypes of the people. In Germany, for example, a majority of people have blue eyes whilst it is a recessive phenotype.