Table of contents | |
Introduction | |
Cytoplasmic Inheritance Overview | |
Cytoplasmic Inheritance Types | |
Characteristics | |
Significance | |
Important features of Cytoplasmic DNA and Nuclear DNA | |
Conclusion |
Inheritance refers to the transfer of traits or features from parents to their descendants. While genes usually play a central role in defining an organism's characteristics, there are instances where the passage of traits from one generation to the next is determined by cytoplasmic genes. This type of inheritance is referred to as cytoplasmic inheritance, maternal inheritance, or extranuclear inheritance. Examples of cytoplasmic inheritance can be observed in everyday plants such as maize, the Mirabilis jalapa plant, cotton plants, and more. This form of inheritance is prevalent among eukaryotic organisms and is typically associated with cytoplasmic components like mitochondria or single-celled organisms like bacteria.
Cytoplasmic inheritance, or organelle inheritance, involves the transmission of genetic material from the parent's organelle DNA to the offspring. Unlike nuclear genetics, cytoplasmic inheritance does not adhere to the principles of Mendelian gene inheritance, where offspring inherit half of their genes from each parent. Instead, the inheritance of organelle DNA can vary depending on the species, with genetic material from organelles coming solely from one parent, either male or female, or sometimes in unequal proportions from both parents.
This type of inheritance is controlled by genes located within organelles like chloroplasts and mitochondria.
Cytoplasmic inheritance has two main categories:
Examples of plastid inheritance include:
a. Mirabilis Jalapa:
b. Oenothera:
c. Iojap in Maize:
Mitochondrial inheritance is prevalent in both plants and animals.
Some examples include:
a. Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Plants:
b. Pokiness in Neurospora:
c. Petite in Yeast:
This inheritance can occur exclusively from either the maternal or paternal parent or a combination of both. We have examined several examples of cytoplasmic inheritance, including Iojap in maize, pokiness in Neurospora, and Oenothera. There are two primary types of cytoplasmic inheritance: plastid and mitochondrial inheritance. This phenomenon plays a significant role in understanding the transmission of traits through various cytoplasmic organelles and has practical applications, such as the production of hybrid seeds, among other uses.
1. What is cytoplasmic inheritance? |
2. What are the types of cytoplasmic inheritance? |
3. What are the characteristics of cytoplasmic inheritance? |
4. Why is cytoplasmic inheritance significant? |
5. What are the important features of cytoplasmic DNA and nuclear DNA? |
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