Unit 5: Heredity

Unit 5 focuses on heredity and the biological concepts and processes involved in ensuring the continuity of life. Students learn that the storage and transmission of genetic information via chromosomes from one generation to the next occur through meiosis. Meiotic division ensures genetic diversity, which is crucial to the survival of a species. In this unit, students gain a deeper understanding of Mendelian genetics and learning how non-Mendelian genetics describes those patterns of inheritance that seem to violate Mendel's laws. This unit also teaches the role played by chromosomal inheritance, environmental factors, and nondisjunction on an individual's phenotype. In Unit 6, students move on to learn about gene expression and regulation. ^{(AP® Biology CED)}

5.1: Meiosis

Topics: Production of haploid cells, gametes vs. somatic cells, haploid vs. diploid cells, PMAT 1 & 2, formation of homologous pairs and crossing over

5.2: Meiosis and Genetic Diversity

Topics: Crossing over, independent assortment, random fertilization, benefits of genetic variation

5.3: Mendelian Genetics

Topics: Genomes, rules of segregation and independent assortment, probability and punnet squares, monohybrid and dihybrid squares, pedigrees

5.4: Non-Mendelian Genetics

Topics: Chromosomally-linked genes, sex-linked genes, multiple genes

5.5: Environmental Effects on Phenotype

Topics: Phenotypic plasticity

5.6: Chromosomal Inheritance

Topics: Chromosomal basis of inheritance, nondisjunction, genetic variation, genetic disorders