Module 6 — Mendelian Genetics and Inheritance


Introduction

You expect to look similar to your parents and your other ancestors, but you are a little different. In the 1850s, an Austrian monk working in a garden discovered how species and individual traits are inherited. Gregor Mendel and the garden pea brought the study of genetics beyond the Dark Ages. Using this simple organism, Mendel developed evidence for the basic principles of genetics.

This module explores the concepts of dominance, segregation, and independent assortment. You will analyze ratios and probabilities of genotypes and phenotypes to examine many other possible ways of transmission of traits from generation to generation. You will discover how variability can be dependent on the number of genes involved in a trait, on crossing-over, and on gene linkage. You will learn why some traits such as hemophilia are more common in males than they are in females. Many tools can be used to study the transmission of traits, and you will have the opportunity to use these tools in your study of some common inheritable traits.

Think about the following question as you complete this module:

  • What are the basic rules and steps involved that affect the transmission of genetic characteristics to the next generation?


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Suggested Timeline

This module has nine lessons. Please use the following suggested timeline to help you keep on track. Keep in mind that the number of hours required for each lesson varies among individuals. Some students may find that they need significantly more time to study the course material; other students who have completed this course before might require less time. Use the following table as a guide to set your own personal timeline to complete this course.

Lesson  Topic  Suggested Number of Hours
 on the Lesson
 Equivalent Number of
 Classes in School
 1  Theories and Terminology of Inheritance
 3 hours
 1 class
 2  Mendel's Law and Monohybrid Crosses
 7 hours
 2.5 classes
 3  Incomplete Dominance, Codominance, and Multiple Alleles
 7 hours
 2.5 classes
 4  Dihybrid Crosses
 9 hours
 3 classes
 5  Probability
 3 hours
 1 class
 6  Polygenic Traits
 5 hours
 2 classes
 7  Chromosomal Theory and Sex-linked Inheritance
 5 hours
 2 classes
 8  Crossing-over Frequencies and Gene Mapping
 3 hours
 1 class
 9  Pedigree Analysis
 9 hours
 3 classes

If you plan to spend about 2 hours per day on this course, you might complete this module in about 5 weeks.



Assignments

There are four assignments in this module. Assignment 6A, 6B, and 6C are computer graded and you will receive immediate feedback. Assignment 6D contains written response type questions and will not be computer graded.

 
 Assignment
 Topic  Number of Questions
 Total Marks
 Assignment 6A
 Lessons 1 ~ 3
41 Questions
 41 Marks
 Assignment 6B
 Lessons 4 ~ 6
43 Questions
 43 Marks
 Assignment 6C  Lessons 7 ~ 9
39 Questions   41.5 Marks
 Assignment 6D (Written)
 Lessons 1 ~ 9
20 Questions
 47  Marks