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Edexcel IAL·Biology·IAL Biology

Genetics & Inheritance

18 min read

Genes and alleles, monohybrid and dihybrid crosses, codominance, multiple alleles and sex linkage, with genetic diagrams.

Inheritance is the passing of alleles from parents to offspring. Key terms: a gene is a length of DNA coding for a protein; an allele is a version of a gene; genotype is the alleles present; phenotype is the observable characteristic; homozygous = two same alleles; heterozygous = two different; dominant alleles are expressed in the heterozygote, recessive only when homozygous.

Monohybrid crosses

A cross involving one gene. Show parental genotypes, gametes, a Punnett square, and offspring ratios.

Bb × Bb Bb Bb BB Bb Bb bb
Monohybrid cross of two heterozygotes → 3 dominant : 1 recessive

A cross of two heterozygotes (Bb × Bb) gives a 3 : 1 phenotypic ratio. A test cross (with a homozygous recessive) reveals an unknown genotype: offspring all dominant → homozygous; a 1:1 ratio → heterozygous.

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