Genetic diagrams

What is a genetic diagram?

A genetic diagram is a visual representation of how traits are inherited, showing the possible combinations of alleles.

What is a genotype?

A genotype is the genetic makeup of an organism, represented by the combination of alleles (e.g., Bb).

What is a phenotype?

A phenotype is the observable characteristics of an organism, influenced by its genotype.

What is the difference between dominant and recessive alleles?

Dominant alleles are expressed in the phenotype even if only one copy is present, while recessive alleles require two copies to be expressed.

How are genetic diagrams used to predict inheritance?

Genetic diagrams, such as Punnett squares, help predict the probability of offspring inheriting certain traits.

What is a Punnett square?

A Punnett square is a grid used to calculate the possible genetic outcomes of offspring based on the parents' genotypes.

What is the significance of a 1:1 ratio in a genetic cross?

A 1:1 ratio indicates equal probability for two different genotypes to occur in the offspring, often seen in a monohybrid cross of heterozygous parents.

What does it mean for an allele to be homozygous?

An organism is homozygous for a gene if it has two identical alleles (e.g., BB or bb).

What does it mean for an allele to be heterozygous?

An organism is heterozygous for a gene if it has two different alleles (e.g., Bb).

How is a family pedigree chart used?

A pedigree chart shows the inheritance of traits over several generations in a family.

What are carriers in genetic inheritance?

Carriers are individuals who carry a recessive allele for a genetic disorder but do not express the disorder.

How can genetic diagrams be used to predict sex inheritance?

Genetic diagrams show how sex chromosomes are inherited and predict whether offspring will be male or female.

What is the purpose of a test cross?

A test cross is used to determine the genotype of an individual with a dominant phenotype by crossing it with a homozygous recessive individual.

What is codominance?

Codominance occurs when both alleles in a heterozygote are equally expressed, such as in AB blood type.

What is incomplete dominance?

Incomplete dominance occurs when neither allele is completely dominant, resulting in a blend of the two traits in the phenotype.