What is the Difference Between Mendelian and Non Mendelian Inheritance?

Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance are two different patterns of genetic inheritance. The main differences between them are:

Mendelian Inheritance:

Determined by dominant and recessive alleles of one gene.
Follows Mendel's laws of inheritance.
Accounts for traits with complete dominance or recessive alleles.
Examples include height and hair color.

Non-Mendelian Inheritance:

Not determined by dominant and recessive alleles.
Does not follow Mendel's laws of inheritance.
Can be governed by more than one gene.
Includes incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple alleles, sex-linked inheritance, and polygenic traits.

In summary, Mendelian inheritance follows the laws of Gregor Mendel, who discovered the principles of inheritance through his work with pea plants. This type of inheritance involves traits with complete dominance or recessive alleles and can be tracked using Mendel's framework. On the other hand, non-Mendelian inheritance involves traits that do not follow Mendel's laws and can be influenced by multiple genes, making them more complex and less straightforward than Mendelian traits.

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What is the Difference Between Mendelian and Non Mendelian Inheritance?

Comparative Table: Mendelian vs Non Mendelian Inheritance

Here is a table comparing Mendelian and Non-Mendelian inheritance:

Feature	Mendelian Inheritance	Non-Mendelian Inheritance
Definition	Inheritance of traits controlled by a single gene with two alleles, one of which may be dominant to the other.	Inheritance patterns that are different from Mendelian inheritance, including multiple allele traits, codominance, incomplete dominance, and polygenic traits.
Alleles	Typically involves two alleles.	Often involves multiple alleles.
Trait Expression	Traits exhibit clear dominance or recessiveness.	Traits may have a different relationship than the simple dominant-recessive relationship, or both traits may blend (incomplete dominance) or express (codominance).
Examples	Autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked dominant, and X-linked recessive.	Sickle cell anemia (pleiotropy), albinism (epistasis).

Mendelian inheritance refers to the inheritance of traits controlled by a single gene with two alleles, one of which may be dominant to the other. In contrast, non-Mendelian inheritance includes more complex patterns such as multiple allele traits, codominance, incomplete dominance, and polygenic traits.

Guilherme Mazui

Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.