MENDELs LAW

1). LAW OF DOMINANCE: In a given cross between 2 organisms with pure contrasting alleles or characters only one allele is expressed in F1 generation; that character that appears is called dominant and the other recessive.

Law of Dominance

2). LAW OF SEGREGATION: When a pair of contrasting alleles come together due to hybridization in a hybrid individual, the 2 characters remain together without mixing or losing their purity. They segregate (separate) in the gametes of the hybrid.

3). When the parents differ in two or more alleles then the inheritance of one pair of alleles does not depend on the other pair.

EXCEPTION OF MENDELs LAW

1). Unlike Mendels F1 generations, in a few cases F1 generation has an intermediated phenotype between dominant and recessive alleles e.g. in or heterozygous F1 Rr flowers are pink as compared to homozygous P (RR) red and P (rr) white.

Incomplete Dominance

Incomplete Dominance

2). Linkage: Genes on same chromosomes are said to be linked. The closer they are stronger the linkage. Linked genes are inherited together. Mendel was lucky that none of his 7 alleles showed linkage or his law of independent assortment would not have been formulated.

3). Multiple Allelism: Each character may have more than 2 alleles e.g. rabbits fur color has alleles. This cant be explained by Mendels laws which state that each character has 2 alleles only. 4). Gene Interactions: (Epistasis) Sometimes a character (e.g. complexion in humans) is controlled by more than 1 gene or factor. This again is an exception to the Mendelian statement that each character is controlled by one gene / allele.

Gene Interaction

1). Dominant and recessive characters can be found. 2). A hybrid with desired characters can be produced easily on the basis of Mendels laws. 3). Crops can be improved. 4). Pure recessive characters can be used where needed. 5). Genotypes and phenotypes of next generation can be predicted even before cross is made.