Table of Contents
Principles of Inheritance and Variation – Mendel’s Law of Inheritance
The principle of inheritance states that the characteristics of an organism are determined by the genetic material it inherits from its parents. The principle of variation states that the genetic material is not always identical in every individual and that this variation is the basis for natural selection.
| S.NO | CONTENT |
| 1 | INTRODUCTION |
| 2 | WHAT IS VARIATION |
| 3 | MENDEL’S LAW OF INHERITANCE |
| 4 | MUTATION |
| 5 | MENDALIAN DISORDER |
What is Variation?
Variation is the degree to which individual members of a population differ from one another. It is a measure of the diversity of a population.
Mendel’s Law of Inheritance
Mendel’s law of inheritance states that the inheritance of traits in a population is controlled by genes, which are located on chromosomes. A gene is a unit of heredity that codes for a specific trait. The law of segregation states that each gene is located on a specific chromosome and that the gene for a particular trait can exist in two forms, called alleles. The law of independent assortment states that genes for different traits are located on different chromosomes and that the alleles for different traits can assort independently during meiosis.
Mutation
A mutation is a change in the DNA sequence of a gene. Mutations can be caused by environmental factors, such as radiation, or by errors that occur as the gene copies itself during cell division. Most mutations are neutral, meaning they have no effect on the protein the gene encodes. However, some mutations can change the protein’s function or create a new protein that has a toxic effect.
Mendelian Disorders
Mendelian disorders are conditions that are caused by a defect in a single gene. These disorders are passed down from parents to children in a predictable pattern. For example, if a parent has a Mendelian disorder, there is a 50% chance that their child will also have the disorder.
Mendelian disorders are typically rare, and can be caused by a variety of different gene defects. Some of the most common Mendelian disorders include cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease, and sickle cell anemia.
Mendelian disorders can be diagnosed through a variety of different tests, including genetic tests and blood tests. Treatment for Mendelian disorders typically involves managing the symptoms of the disorder, and in some cases, gene therapy may be an option.
For more info visit Mutation – Meaning, Causes of Mutation, Types and Examples
