Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
Gregor Mendel, known as the "Father of Genetics," proposed three fundamental principles of
inheritance based on his experiments with pea plants (Pisum sativum). These principles form the
foundation of classical genetics.
Mendel's Experiments
Mendel chose pea plants because:
1. They have clearly observable traits (e.g., seed color, flower color).
2. They can self-pollinate and cross-pollinate.
3. They have a short generation time.
He studied seven traits in pea plants, each with two contrasting forms:
1. Seed shape: Round (dominant) vs Wrinkled (recessive).
2. Seed color: Yellow (dominant) vs Green (recessive).
3. Flower color: Purple (dominant) vs White (recessive).
4. Pod shape: Inflated (dominant) vs Constricted (recessive).
5. Pod color: Green (dominant) vs Yellow (recessive).
6. Flower position: Axial (dominant) vs Terminal (recessive).
7. Plant height: Tall (dominant) vs Dwarf (recessive).
Mendel's Laws
1. Law of Dominance
Definition: When two contrasting alleles (forms of a gene) are present in an organism, only
one allele (the dominant allele) is expressed, while the other (recessive allele) remains
unexpressed.
Explanation:
o The dominant trait masks the recessive trait in the first generation (F₁ generation).
o The recessive trait can reappear in the next generation (F₂ generation) in a 3:1 ratio.
Example: Cross between a tall (TT) and dwarf (tt) pea plant:
F₁ Generation → All plants are tall (Tt).
F₂ Generation → 3 tall : 1 dwarf (phenotypic ratio).
2. Law of Segregation (Law of Purity of Gametes)
Definition: During the formation of gametes (reproductive cells), the two alleles of a gene
segregate (separate) so that each gamete receives only one allele.
Key Point: Each parent contributes one allele to the offspring.
This explains why recessive traits can reappear in the F₂ generation.
Example: Cross between heterozygous tall plants (Tt):
Parental Genotype: Tt × Tt
During gamete formation → T and t alleles separate.
Offspring: TT, Tt, Tt, tt → Phenotypic ratio: 3 tall : 1 dwarf.
Punnett Square:
T t
T TT Tt
t Tt tt
3. Law of Independent Assortment
Definition: Alleles of different genes (traits) assort independently of one another during
gamete formation.
This law applies when two or more traits are considered at the same time.
Explanation: The inheritance of one trait (e.g., seed shape) does not affect the inheritance of
another trait (e.g., seed color).
Example: Dihybrid Cross (cross involving two traits):
Parental Cross: Round Yellow (RRYY) × Wrinkled Green (rryy).
F₁ Generation: All Round Yellow (RrYy).
F₂ Generation: Produces 4 phenotypes in a ratio of [Link].
Punnett Square (Dihybrid Cross):
RY Ry rY ry
RY RRYY RRYy RrYY RrYy
Ry RRYy RRyy RrYy Rryy
rY RrYY RrYy rrYY rrYy
ry RrYy Rryy rrYy rryy
Phenotypic Ratio → [Link]
1. 9 Round Yellow
2. 3 Round Green
3. 3 Wrinkled Yellow
4. 1 Wrinkled Green
Summary of Mendel's Laws
Law Definition Key Points
One allele masks the expression of Dominant allele expressed in F₁
Law of Dominance
the other. generation.
Alleles separate during gamete
Law of Segregation Each gamete gets one allele.
formation.
Law of Independent Alleles of different traits assort Traits inherited separately; [Link]
Assortment independently. ratio.
Conclusion
Mendel's work laid the foundation for modern genetics, explaining how traits are passed from
parents to offspring through distinct factors (now called genes). His laws are still relevant, though
they have been expanded upon with modern discoveries like linked genes and incomplete
dominance.
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