Unit 1.8 Mendel & Punnet Squares

keywords to prep for assessment

Gene

A small section of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a particular sequence of amino acids, to make a specific protein

Alleles

Different versions of the same gene. E.g. the gene for eye colour has an allele for blue eye colour and an allele for brown eye colour

Phenotype

The collection of alleles that determine the physical, or phenotype characteristics of an organism

Genotype

The physical characteristics of an organism, controlled by the interaction of an organism’s genotype with the environment

Dominant

A term given to alleles that are always expressed when present

Recessive

A term given to alleles that are only expressed when two recessive alleles are present

Homozygous 

This is when an organism has two of the same alleles for a particular gene 

Heterozygous

This is when an organism has two different alleles for a particular gene

Why did Mendel choose peas for his experiments?

easy to grow, easily observable and distinct traits and allowed for controlled self-pollination