Classical Genetics

Gregor Mendel

Pioneer of genetics who studied inheritance in garden pea plants.

Dominant Trait

A trait that overshadows a recessive trait; example: Purple flower color.

Recessive Trait

A trait that is overshadowed by a dominant trait; example: White flower color.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that can exist for a given trait.

Genotype

The genetic code for a trait composed of alleles.

Phenotype

An observable trait that results from the interaction of alleles.

Mendel's Principle of Dominance

States that dominant traits overshadow recessive traits in inherited characteristics.

P Generation

The parental generation; the first cross in Mendel's breeding experiments.

F1 Generation

The first filial generation; the offspring of the P generation.

F2 Generation

The second filial generation; the offspring of the F1 generation.

Mendel's Principle of Segregation

Describes the separation of alleles during gamete formation in meiosis.

True Breeding Genotype

A genotype that produces offspring with the same traits, such as RR or rr.

Heterozygous Genotype

A genotype consisting of two different alleles, such as Rr.

RR Genotype

Homozygous dominant genotype that results in round seeds.

rr Genotype

Homozygous recessive genotype that results in wrinkled seeds.

Rr Genotype

Heterozygous genotype that results in round seeds due to the dominant trait.

Seed Shape Traits

Round (dominant) or wrinkled (recessive) as identified by Mendel.