Genetics: Mendel to Morgan

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key genetics concepts from Mendel to Morgan.

Inheritance

The passing of genes from one generation to the next.

Father of modern genetics

Gregor Mendel.

Mendel's study organism

Pea plants.

Phenotype

A noticeable physical trait.

What controls phenotypes?

Genes.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene; each individual has two alleles for each gene.

Dominant allele representation

Capital letter (like P).

Recessive allele representation

Lowercase letter (like p).

Heterozygous

Having one dominant and one recessive allele (e.g., Pp).

Punnett square

A tool that helps predict inheritance patterns.

Reason for white flowers in Mendel's F2 generation

Because they inherited two recessive alleles (pp).

Genes in two copies

Yes, organisms like humans and flies have genes in two copies.

Hemophilia

A genetic clotting disorder.

Why hemophilia affects more males

It is caused by a gene on the X chromosome, and males have only one X.

Who studied chromosomes using fruit flies?

Thomas Hunt Morgan.

Chromosomes

Long strands of DNA containing many genes.

Karyotype

An organized profile of a person's chromosomes.

Autosomes

Non-sex chromosomes.

Sex chromosomes in humans

X and Y chromosomes.

Gene controlling pigment transport in Drosophila

The ABC transporter gene.

Effect of a broken ABC transporter gene

Pigment is made but not visible; the fly has white eyes.

What does the lab aim to explore?

Whether the pigment transporter gene is inherited like Mendel's traits or sex-linked like hemophilia.