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Lesson Outline Introduction Concept 1: Sexually reproducing organisms make sex cells or gametes. Concept 2: Genes are stable, passed on in sex cells and control traits Concept 3: Genes are a part of the chromosome and are found in pairs in somatic cells. Concept 4: Genes can change on occasion and the alternative version or allele may control the trait Concept 5: Individuals can be homozygous or heterozygous. Concept 6: Gene pairs associate and then separate during gamete formation Concept 7: Gametes combine at random to form the individuals in the next generation. Concept 8: One allele can be dominant over another or show a lack of dominance. Concept 9: The segregation of genes allows geneticists to make predictions. Concept 10: Segregation can be predicted based on independent assortment.

Just the facts Rate Me 1 2 3 4 5 Concept 9: The segregation of genes allows geneticists to make predictions. Geneticists like to predict the future. Genes behave in predictable ways which makes it possible to predict outcomes from a given cross. The favorite tool of the geneticist in making predictions is the Punnet square. The diagram depicts the process of segregation. The single letters on the outside of the squares represent the genes in the gametes of the parent. The paired letters in the squares show how the gametes can randomly come together and form the zygote and thus the next generation. Phenotype and genotype ratios can be determined from the squares in the diagram Fig. 13: The inheritance of genes is predictable behavior and therefore, trait inheritance can be predicted in controlled crosses. Comments Be the first to write a comment... Add Comment

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This project was supported in part by the National Research Initiative Competitive Grants CAP project 2011-68002-30029 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, adminstered by the University of California-Davis and by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Undergraduate Education, National SMETE Digital Library Program, Award #0938034, administered by the University of Nebraska. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USDA or NSF.
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