Genetics Activity
Genetics Activity
Genetics Activity
1. GENETICS TERMS
Definitions of genetic terms
• Allele: alleles are alternate forms of a gene localised on the same locus on
homologous chromosomes.
• Haploid: cells contain half a set of genetic material (n) in each nucleus.
Chromosomes are unpaired. Only one allele is present for each
characteristic.
• Gene pool: the total collection of genes making up all the individuals in a
population (i.e. every gene of every member of the population).
• Mendel’s Laws:
Law of Segregation: states that, for each characteristic, a plant
possesses “two factors” (genes) which separate or segregate so that each
gamete contains only one of these factors.
Law of Dominance: states that when two individuals with pure breeding
contrasting characteristics are crossed, the individuals of the F1
generation all display the dominant characteristics.
Law of Independent assortment: states that the various “factors”
controlling the different characteristics (height, colour etc) are separate
entities, not influencing each other in any way, and sorting themselves out
independently during gamete formation.
11. What do we call an individual that has two genes that influence a
characteristic in different ways? Would the genes both be dominant or
recessive? Explain.
12. Consider the following two genes ’’Rr’’ which represents the shape of
seeds (R=round and r= wrinkled).
12.1. Is Rr the individuals genotype or phenotype? Explain
12.2. Is the individual homozygous or heterozygous? Explain
12.3. Which gene is dominant and what shape does this represent?
12.4. Which gene is recessive and what shape does this represent?
12.5. Although there are two genes in the genotype, what would the
phenotype be? Explain.
12.6. When the individual forms gametes by meiosis, what would the
genotype of the gametes be?