Heredity and Genetics Test Review

I. Asexual vs. Sexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction Asexual Reproduction

Definition Two parents donate genes to their offspring, Only one parent is needed, offspring are
resulting in offspring with a combined mix genetically identical to the parent, so all the
of inherited genes. inherited traits are the same in the offspring
and the parents.
Advantages Genetic variation (a mix of inherited genes) Very quick, less energy used for mating,
Different offspring have different traits, so courtship.
different strengths and weaknesses. Better
chance for the species to survive.
Disadvantages Uses more energy No genetic variety, so all could be at risk
from the same problem
Who does it? Animals and plants Unicellular organisms, some plants, starfish

II. Heredity
Definition Heredity is the passing of traits from parents to offspring.

An inherited trait is more likely to be passed in on in future generations when more people have it. So, if a
parent has many children with a certain trait, it is more likely that the trait will increased in a population.

Female traits are passed to their offspring through the DNA in eggs, while male traits are passed to their
offspring through the DNA in sperm. Males actually determine the sex of the baby, because the sperm carries an
X or a Y chromosome, while eggs only contain an X chromosome. If the baby gets XX chromosomes, they are a
girl, if they get XY chromosomes, they are a boy.

III. Mitosis vs. Meiosis

Meiosis Mitosis
Purpose Makes sex cells (eggs and sperm) Allows the organism to replace
for reproduction cells that arent working or have
died.
Cells created 4 sex cells 2 body cells
DNA * Different from parent because of * Identical as the parent
crossing over between parts of
chromosomes
* 1/2 the number of chromosomes * Same number of chromosomes
as the parent (so when the sperm as the parent
and egg combine, the number of
chromosomes doubles to the
correct number)
Cell cycle Happens once with 2 stages Happens over and over again, with
only one stage

IV. Influences on Heredity

Heredity is obviously affected by the genes of a parent, but other environmental influences can affect a
persons life also. Diet, lifestyle, exercise, choices about drugs, tobacco, and alcohol can all affect a persons
health. Some environmental influences can be controlled by a person and their choices, but others cannot.
V. Patterns of Inheritance
Dominant - A trait that covers over, or dominates, another form of that trait, is always expressed if present. As
long as one dominant gene is present, the dominant trait shows up. It doesnt matter if the second gene is
dominant or recessive.
Recessive - A trait that is covered over, or dominated, by another form of that trait and seems to disappear. Is
only expressed if there is not a dominant allele in the genotype. For a recessive trait to show up, both genes
present for that trait have to be recessive.
Homozygous an organism has two of the same allele (genes) either both can be dominant or both can be
recessive.
Heterozygous an organism has two different alleles (genes) one is dominant and the other is recessive.

Blood types - O is recessive. The only way a person can have type O blood is if they have two O genes (OO)
A and B are both dominant over O. Type A blood is caused by either the AA or AO genotype. Type B blood is
caused by either the BB or BO genotype. Neither A or B are dominant over each other. If someone has AB
genotype, they have type AB blood.

VI. Punnett Squares

1) Draw your 2 x 2 box.
2) Put one parents genes across the top one gene per column, and the other parents
genes down the side, one gene per row.
3) Start in the first box. Look at the letter to its left, and the letter above it. Write
both these letters in the empty box. Repeat for the remaining three boxes. If you
end up with both type of allele, it's customary to write the dominant allele first
(write Yy, not yY).
(In our example, the top left box inherits Y from the mother and y from the
father, to make Yy.
The top right box inherits a Y from the mother and y from the father, to make Yy.
The bottom left box inherits a y from both parents, to make yy.
The bottom right box inherits a y f from both parents, to make yy.)
4) Interpret the Punnett square by describing the genotype (what genes the offspring has) and the phenotype
(what is the physical appearance). Include the percentages / ratio for each genotype, or you can describe the
percentages / ratio by the physical appearance.
(Example: 2/4 or 50% Yy, yellow and 2/4 or 50% yy green a 1:1 ratio.
IF the results had been or 25% YY yellow, 2/4 or 50% Yy yellow, and or 25% yy green it would have
been a 3:1 yellow : green ratio)

VII. Family Trees

Family trees can show dominant and recessive patterns for
genetic conditions in a family.

In this family, pp genotype is a recessive condition. Pp genotype

shows someone who is a carrier, and PP doesnt have the
condition or the gene. If they have the condition, their symbol is
colored in all the way. If they are a carrier, their symbol is
colored in half way.

PP is homozygous dominant
Pp is heterozygous
pp is homozygous recessive.