Complex Inheritance

Patterns
Mr. Winchester
Basic Single Gene Traits
Controlled by 1 gene w/ 2 alleles
1 dominant 1 recessive
Possible results
3 genotypes (DD, Dd, dd)
2 phenotypes (dimples, no dimples)
Simple genetic patterns
Ex: Widows peak, dimples, etc.
Multiple Allele Traits
Controlled 1 gene w/ > 2 alleles
Ex: blood type
A B
AB O
Still only carry TOTAL 2 alleles
1 from mom & 1 from dad
Just > 2 possible options that mom
/ dad could have


Ex: Blood Type
4 blood types
Controlled by
3 possible
alleles
I
A
: type A
I
B
: type B
i: type O
Blood
Type
Alleles
A I
A
I
A
or I
A
i

B I
B
I
B
or I
B
i
AB I
A
I
B
O ii
Co-dominant Alleles
Alleles equally dominant =
BOTH dominant
Both expressed / neither masked
Capital letters w/ superscripts
(ex: I
A
)
Ex: blood type
AB: co-dominant for type A & B
Incomplete Dominance
Phenotype is intermediate NEITHER
dominant
Blending (alleles do not actually
blend)
Ex: snapdragon flower color
Alleles: red (R), white (W)
RR = red (lots red pigment)
WW = white (no red pigment)
RW = pink (half pigment)
RR = red
(lots red pigment)
rr = white
(NO red pigment)
Rr = pink
(half red pigment)
Multiple Genes
Act as group to contribute to 1 trait
Each gene at least 2 possible
alleles
MANY possible combos = LOTS
phenotypes
Ex: height (at least 4 genes), skin
color (at least 3 genes)
Sex Chromosomes
Determine M or F
Only pair do NOT always match
F: 2 X
M: 1 X & 1 Y
Y SMALLER than X
Doesnt carry same # of genes
Carries genes for male characteristics

So
M = XY
Passes on X OR Y (1 in 2)
Determines offspring gender
F = XX
Always pass on X
The Punnett Square
X (father) Y (father)
X (mother) XX (daughter) XY (son)
X (mother) XX (daughter) XY (son)
Sex-linked Traits
Traits carried on sex
chromosomes
Some traits more frequent in
Ms
Can still have dominant /
recessive alleles

Carrier
Heterozygous (1 recessive & 1
dominant allele)
Does not SHOW trait but CAN
pass on
Only Fs carriers for sex-linked
traits
Ms always express sex-linked trait
Ex: Color Blindness
B = dominant = normal color vision
b = recessive = color-blindness
Father:
Normal: X
B
Y (1 option)
Color-blindness: X
b
Y
Mother:
Normal: X
B
X
B
or X
B
X
b
(2 options)

Color-blindness: X
b
X
b

Example
Crosses
The Environment
Surroundings can effect how
genes expressed
Ex: Poor diet & height
Since late 1800s ave height US
adults > +10 cm
Cause: better diets, medical care,
living conditions, etc.
Not necessarily related to genetics
Mutations
Any change in gene or
chromosome
Can change traits normally have
Some harmless
Some helpful (adaptations,
evolution)
Some harmful (disorders,
diseases, cancer)