Genetics

Genetics Overview: Mendelian genetics is the study of how traits, such as eye color or hair type, are passed down from parents to their children. This study is named after Johann Gregor Mendel, a scientist who published the basic principles of genetics in the 1866.

Mendel's experiments showed that traits are determined by pairs of factors which are inherited from each parent. One factor is inherited from the mother and the other from the father. Two factors make up a gene.

These factors, called alleles, that can be dominant or recessive. Dominant alleles are always expressed when present, while recessive alleles are only expressed when both copies are recessive.

For example, if a child inherits a dominant allele for brown eyes from one parent and a recessive allele for blue eyes from the other parent, the child will have brown eyes because the dominant allele will always be expressed. 

Bb = Brown Eyes. BB = Brown Eyes. bb = Blue Eyes.

Mendelian genetics helps us understand how traits are inherited and can help predict what traits a child may have based on their parents' genetic makeup.