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8: Inheritance

  • Page ID
    22492
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    This chapter provides the molecular background for understanding heredity; explains Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance in humans; some genetic disorders and their treatment, and explores recent advances in genetics.

    • 8.1: Case Study: Genes and Inheritance
      People tend to look similar to their biological parents, as illustrated by the family tree above. But, you can also inherit traits from your parents that you can’t see.
    • 8.2: Mendel's Experiments and Laws of Inheritance
      These purplish-flowered plants are not just pretty to look at. Plants like these led to a huge leap forward in biology.
    • 8.3: Genetics of Inheritance
      Mendel did experiments with pea plants to show how traits such as seed shape and flower color are inherited. Based on his research, he developed his two well-known laws of inheritance: the law of segregation and the law of independent assortment.
    • 8.4: Mendelian Inheritance
      This man is exhibiting a genetic trait — the dimples in his cheeks when he smiles.
    • 8.5: Non-Mendelian Inheritance
      This photo of a South African family shows some of the variation that exists in human skin color.
    • 8.6: Genetic Disorders
      Genetic disorders are diseases, syndromes, or other abnormal conditions that are caused by mutations in one or more genes or by chromosomal alterations.
    • 8.7: Case Study Cancer Conclusion and Chapter Summary
      Rebecca’s family tree, as illustrated in the pedigree above, shows a high incidence of cancer among close relatives. But are genes the cause of cancer in this family? Only genetic testing, which is the sequencing of specific genes in an individual, can reveal whether a cancer-causing gene is being inherited in this family.


    This page titled 8: Inheritance is shared under a CK-12 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Suzanne Wakim & Mandeep Grewal via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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