Introductory Genetics

RIFAT ALI KHESHGI

Student at
NWFP AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY PESHAWAR
Cell # 03139556067
 Genetics
Is the science of heredity.
Heredity is the transmission of genetic or
physical traits from parent to offspring.
Gregor Mendel

Austrian Monk
Considered the “Father of Heredity”
He conducted plant breeding experiments
in their monastery garden.
In 1865 he made his work public, units of
inheritance.
 What makes us unique?
Each of the 100 Trillion cells in our
body except the red blood cells
contains the entire human genome, in
the nucleus of every cell is the genetic
information “blueprint” to construct the
individual.
It is the Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Function of DNA
 Genetic code for almost every organism.
 Provide template for protein synthesis.
 Composition of DNA
The structure of DNA was discovered by
Watson and Crick in 1953.
It is a twisted double helix molecule,
containing sugar, phosphates, and
nitrogenous bases.
The sugar is deoxyribose and the phosphoric
acid molecules are always the same and
provides for the structure (side of the ladder).
The only difference between us is the order
and arrangement of the four bases (rungs of
the ladder).
 Bases of DNA
Adenine= A
Thymine= T
Guanine= G
Cytosine= C
A always pairs with T
C always pairs with G
 Bases of RNA
Adenine= A
Uracil= U
Guanine= G
Cytosine= C
G always pairs with C
T from the DNA = A in the RNA
A from the DNA = U in the RNA
DNA Model
 Chromosomes
The DNA in every cell is located in rod like
segments called chromosomes
Chromosomes occurs in pairs in every cell
of our body except in the sperm and
ovum.
Chromosomes numbers are the same for
each specie.
 Chromosome Numbers
Specie Diploid # Haploid #
Cattle 60 30
Swine 38 19
Sheep 54 27
Horse 64 32
Human 46 23
Chicken 78 39
Goat 60 30
Donkey 62 31
 Chromosomes
There are 2 sex chromosomes included in
the diploid number of the chromosomes.
All of the other chromosomes are referred to
as autosomes.
In mammals if the sex chromosomes are
alike, XX it results in a female.
If the sex chromosomes are different, XY it
results in a male.
 Sex Determination
Female can contribute only a X chromosome
towards the sex of their offspring.
Male can contribute an X or a Y chromosome
toward the sex of their offspring.
Absence of an Y chromosome results in a the
embryo developing into a female.
Presence of an Y chromosome results in the
embryo developing into a male.
Sex Determination
Gametogenesis =
Formation of gametes
through meiosis.
Male = 4 viable
spermatids
Female = 1 viable
ovum, 3 polar bodies.
Tell me what I am ?????
Tell me what I am ?????
 Cell Division
Meiosis
 Is the form of cell division which results reducing
the chromosome number from the diploid # to the
haploid #.
 Occurs only in the sex cells, sperm and ovum.
Mitosis

Is the form of cell division which results in the
formation of identical daughter cells, keeps the
chromosome number constant.

Tissue growth and repair.

Occurs throughout the body except in the sex
cells.
 Genotype or Gamete
Genotype contains two copies of the
gene.
 AaBB
Gamete (sex cells) contains only one
copy of the gene.

AB
Determine the possible gametes of
AaBB

AB aB
 Gamete or Genotype
State if its a gamete or genotype.
Aa
D
DdEeFFgg
sRtxyq
AaBBeeFF
adgEFT
List all the possible gametes.
From the genotype AaBb
AB
Ab
aB
ab
 Genes
Chromosomes contains several units of
inheritance “genes”.
Genes usually occurs in pairs, one from
each parent.
Some traits are inherited directly from one
set of genes.
Some traits are inherited through several
sets of genes.
 Genes
It was presumed that we were composed
of about 100,000 genes to construct us.
Today, research has proven that number
is a lot less than 100,000.
Extra credit for the student that can find an
article about the current number of genes.
 Terms to know
Homozygous- contains 2 identical genes for the
same trait, AA, BB, cc
Heterozygous- contains 2 different genes for
the same trait, Aa, bB, Cc
Phenotype- Outward appearance of a trait,
coat color, polled, horned.
Genotype- Genetic classification of a gene,
AA, Aa, aa.
Allele- Location of a gene on the chromosome.
F-one = First cross mating.
F-two = Second cross mating.
What are dominant genes?
The gene that express itself, the powerful
and dominant gene.
It has the power to overshadow the recessive
gene when there is complete dominance.
Some examples are:
 White faced in cattle
 Droopy ears in swine
 Polled in cattle

Black coat color in Angus cattle
What are Recessive Genes?

The gene that is overshadowed by a

dominant gene
Recessive genes can only express
themselves in the absence of the
dominant gene
Polled vs Horned (Pp) (pp)
Black wool vs white (Ww) (ww)
Dwarfism vs normal size (dd)
Albino
 Punnet Square
Angus- Black coat color is dominant.
BB = Homozygous Dominant and Black
Bb = Heterozygous and is black
bb = Homozygous recessive and red
A heterozygous bull is mated to 50
homozygous recessive cows.
How many calves are black?
How many calves are red?
What is the genotypic and phenotypic ratios?
 Punnet Square

B b
b Bb bb
b Bb bb
 Results
2 heterozygous = Bb
2 Homozygous
Recessive bb
25 Black, 25 Red
Genotypic ratio =
0:2:2
Phenotypic ratio =
2 Black: 2 Red
What are Sex Linked Genes?

Some recessive genes are attached to the

X and Y chromosomes
Humans: Colorblindness and Baldness are
on the X chromosomes
In Men, traits expressed anytime present
In Women, must have two recessives to
show trait
Children get baldness from mothers
If Dad is bald, will you be
bald?
XB Y

X XXB XY

X XXB XY
Baldness is carried by the
mother
X Y

XB XXB XB Y

X XX XY
 What if Mom is bald?
X Y

XB XXB XB Y

XB XXB XY
B
 What is Incomplete
Dominance?
If both genes express themselves
Shorthorn Cattle: Red male mated to a
White female = Roan calf
RR crossed rr = Rr
 Punnet Square
Shorthorn Cattle
RR = Red
rr = white
Rr = roan
If a red bull (RR) is mated to a white cow
(rr), what color will the calves be?
Shorthorn: Red X White
R R

r Rr Rr
r Rr Rr
 Punnet Square
If a red bull (RR) is mated to a roan (Rr)
cow, what color will the calves be?
Shorthorn: Red X Roan
R R
R RR RR
r Rr Rr
What if Both Parents are Roan?

R r
R RR Rr
r Rr rr
 What is a Mutation?
Dramatically different from what is
expected genetically
Horned calf from polled parents
Loss of some or extra body parts
Lethal Mutation: causes death at birth
Sublethal Mutation: limits animals
ability to grow to maturity
Beneficial Mutation: loss of tail in lambs
 What is Heritability?
Chance that traits will be inherited
Low: multiple births, fat covering
Medium: birth wt, wean wt, milk, wool
grade, carcass wt, rate of gain
High: Loin eye area, fleece length &
quality
 Mating Systems
Upgrading: mating purebreds with grade animals
Inbreeding: mating closely related animals
Linebreeding: mating distantly related animals
Outcrossing: mating unrelated animals in the
same breed.
Crossbreeding: mating animals of same species
but different breeds.
 What is Hybrid Vigor?
Heterosis

Offspring will outperform either of the

parents
Corn Breed A yields 100 bu/acre
Corn Breed B yields 100 bu/acre
Crossbreed A & B yields corn that yields
200 bu/acre
Vigor only expressed in crossbreeding
 The End
You can use your notes to do the next two
worksheets.
Thanks