Jack Westin MCAT Podcast MCAT Mendelian Genetics: More Than Punnett Squares
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Oct 7, 2025 Understanding Mendelian genetics goes beyond just memorizing Punnett squares. The hosts dive into important concepts like dominant versus recessive traits, independent assortment, and linked genes. They clarify common errors students make with probabilities and show how to tackle classic ratios with ease. Exploring epistasis, incomplete dominance, and even mitochondrial inheritance, they highlight genetics' complexities. Plus, get insights into how genetics impacts medicine and the importance of mastering these concepts for the MCAT.
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Genes, Alleles, Genotype Vs Phenotype
- A gene is a DNA segment that carries a trait and an allele is a specific version of that gene.
- Humans carry two alleles per gene, one from each parent, which determine genotype versus phenotype.
Mendel's Two Core Inheritance Laws
- Mendel's law of segregation means each parent contributes one allele per gene to offspring.
- Law of independent assortment means genes on different chromosomes assort randomly into gametes.
Practice Multigene Punnett Squares
- Learn to set up Punnett squares and practice multi-gene Punnett squares to avoid common errors.
- Use visual practice to internalize how genotypes map to phenotypes under multiple-trait crosses.
