UPCAT Biology — Genetics & HereditySlides
Slide deck for UPCAT Biology — Genetics & Heredity. These slides are built for quick visual review, highlighting the key concepts, formulas, and question patterns from this chapter of the UPCAT 2026 syllabus.
Exam context
For the University of the Philippines College Admission Test, University of the Philippines tests Biology under a "Core" label, with Genetics & Heredity in the 6th slot across 7 chapters. UPCAT candidates must clear the UPG ≤ 2.2 typical cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about 20 Biology questions. Date to watch: Mid-2026 (announced by UP Admissions).
Genetics & Heredity - Slides
Genetics is the fascinating study of how traits are passed from parents to their offspring through generations. This chapter explores the fundamental principles discovered by Gregor Mendel, the structure and function of DNA, and modern applications of genetic engineering. Understanding genetics helps us comprehend inheritance patterns, genetic disorders, and the molecular basis of life itself.
Slides
Introduction to Genetics & Heredity
Genetics forms the foundation of biological inheritance, explaining why children resemble their parents and how species maintain continuity while allowing for variation and evolution.
Notes
This introductory slide sets the foundation for understanding genetics and its importance in biology.
Topic
Introduction
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mindmap root((Genetics & Heredity)) Basic Concepts Genetics Heredity Variation Key Scientists Gregor Mendel Watson and Crick Applications Medicine Agriculture Evolution
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mermaid_mindmap
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Overview of genetics and heredity showing main concepts, key scientists, and applications
Basic Genetic Terms
Understanding these basic terms is essential for studying genetics. The relationship between genotype and phenotype is fundamental to inheritance patterns.
Notes
These definitions are crucial for understanding all genetic concepts that follow.
Topic
Genetic Terminology
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[Gene] --> B[Different Alleles] B --> C[Genotype Combinations] C --> D[Phenotype Expression] D --> E[Observable Traits] style A fill:#e1f5fe style E fill:#c8e6c9
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Flow from genes to observable traits showing the relationship between genetic components
DNA Structure and Components
DNA's structure allows it to store genetic information and replicate accurately. The complementary base pairing is crucial for DNA function and inheritance.
Notes
Understanding DNA structure is essential for comprehending how genetic information is stored and transmitted.
Topic
DNA Structure
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S3
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[DNA Nucleotide] --> B[Nitrogenous Base] A --> C[Sugar Backbone] A --> D[Phosphate Group] B --> E[Purines] B --> F[Pyrimidines] E --> G[Adenine A] E --> H[Guanine G] F --> I[Cytosine C] F --> J[Thymine T] style A fill:#ffeb3b style B fill:#e1f5fe style C fill:#c8e6c9 style D fill:#ffcdd2
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Structure of DNA nucleotides showing the three main components and types of bases
Mendel's Laws of Inheritance
Mendel's laws form the foundation of classical genetics, explaining how traits are inherited from parents to offspring through predictable patterns.
Notes
These laws are fundamental to understanding inheritance patterns and predicting offspring traits.
Topic
Mendelian Genetics
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flowchart TD A[Mendel's Laws] --> B[Law of Segregation] A --> C[Law of Independent Assortment] A --> D[Law of Dominance] B --> E[Gene pairs separate in gametes] C --> F[Different traits inherited independently] D --> G[Dominant masks recessive] style A fill:#ffeb3b style B fill:#e1f5fe style C fill:#c8e6c9 style D fill:#ffcdd2
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Mendel's three laws of inheritance and their basic principles
Monohybrid Cross
Monohybrid crosses demonstrate basic inheritance patterns and help predict offspring ratios when studying single traits.
Notes
Monohybrid crosses are essential for understanding basic inheritance ratios and Mendel's laws.
Topic
Monohybrid Cross
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[P Generation] --> B[YY Yellow] A --> C[yy Green] B --> D[Gametes Y] C --> E[Gametes y] D --> F[F1 Generation Yy] E --> F F --> G[F1 Gametes Y and y] G --> H[F2 Generation] H --> I[YY Yellow] H --> J[Yy Yellow] H --> K[yy Green] style A fill:#ffeb3b style F fill:#e1f5fe style H fill:#c8e6c9
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Monohybrid cross showing inheritance pattern from P generation through F2 generation
Dihybrid Cross
Dihybrid crosses show how two different traits are inherited simultaneously and demonstrate Mendel's law of independent assortment.
Notes
Dihybrid crosses demonstrate independent assortment and are important for understanding multi-trait inheritance.
Topic
Dihybrid Cross
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S6
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mermaid
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6
Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[P Generation] --> B[YYRR Yellow Round] A --> C[yyrr Green Wrinkled] B --> D[Gametes YR] C --> E[Gametes yr] D --> F[F1 YyRr All Yellow Round] E --> F F --> G[F1 produces 4 gamete types] G --> H[YR, Yr, yR, yr] H --> I[F2 Generation] I --> J[9 Yellow Round] I --> K[3 Yellow Wrinkled] I --> L[3 Green Round] I --> M[1 Green Wrinkled] style A fill:#ffeb3b style F fill:#e1f5fe style I fill:#c8e6c9
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Dihybrid cross showing inheritance of two traits and the resulting 9:3:3:1 ratio
Non-Mendelian Genetics: Incomplete Dominance
Incomplete dominance occurs when both alleles contribute to the phenotype, creating a blended appearance in heterozygous individuals.
Notes
Incomplete dominance shows that not all traits follow simple dominant-recessive patterns.
Topic
Non-Mendelian Genetics
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7
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flowchart TD A[Incomplete Dominance] --> B[P Generation] B --> C[RR Red Flowers] B --> D[WW White Flowers] C --> E[Gametes R] D --> F[Gametes W] E --> G[F1 RW Pink Flowers] F --> G G --> H[F1 Gametes R and W] H --> I[F2 Generation] I --> J[1 RR Red] I --> K[2 RW Pink] I --> L[1 WW White] style A fill:#ffeb3b style G fill:#ffcdd2 style I fill:#c8e6c9
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Incomplete dominance pattern showing blended phenotype in F1 and 1:2:1 ratio in F2
Codominance and Multiple Alleles
Codominance and multiple alleles add complexity to inheritance patterns beyond simple Mendelian genetics.
Notes
ABO blood system is an excellent example of both codominance and multiple alleles in human genetics.
Topic
Complex Inheritance
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mermaid
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flowchart TD A[ABO Blood System] --> B[Three Alleles] B --> C[IA A antigen] B --> D[IB B antigen] B --> E[i No antigen] C --> F[Type A: IAIA or IAi] D --> G[Type B: IBIB or IBi] C --> H[Type AB: IAIB] D --> H E --> I[Type O: ii] style A fill:#ffeb3b style H fill:#ffcdd2 style I fill:#e1f5fe
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
ABO blood system showing multiple alleles and codominance patterns
Sex-Linked Inheritance
Sex-linked inheritance explains why certain genetic conditions are more common in males and shows different inheritance patterns than autosomal traits.
Notes
Understanding sex-linked inheritance is important for genetic counseling and understanding certain genetic disorders.
Topic
Sex-Linked Traits
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flowchart TD A[Sex-Linked Inheritance] --> B[X-Linked Traits] A --> C[Y-Linked Traits] B --> D[Males XY] B --> E[Females XX] D --> F[One X chromosome] D --> G[Express recessive traits] E --> H[Two X chromosomes] E --> I[Can be carriers] style A fill:#ffeb3b style D fill:#e1f5fe style E fill:#ffcdd2
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Sex-linked inheritance showing why males are more affected by X-linked recessive traits
Central Dogma of Molecular Biology
The central dogma explains how genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins, forming the basis of molecular biology.
Notes
The central dogma is fundamental to understanding how genes control cellular functions and organism traits.
Topic
Molecular Biology
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart LR A[DNA] -->|Replication| B[DNA Copy] A -->|Transcription| C[RNA] C -->|Translation| D[Protein] E[Reverse Transcription] -->|Some viruses| A C --> E style A fill:#ffeb3b style C fill:#e1f5fe style D fill:#c8e6c9
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Central dogma showing the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein
DNA Replication Process
DNA replication ensures genetic information is accurately copied before cell division, maintaining genetic continuity.
Notes
DNA replication is essential for cell division and inheritance of genetic material.
Topic
DNA Replication
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S11
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mermaid
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11
Mermaid Diagram
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sequenceDiagram participant DNA as Original DNA participant Helicase as Helicase participant Polymerase as DNA Polymerase participant Ligase as DNA Ligase DNA->>Helicase: Unwind double helix Helicase->>Polymerase: Expose template strands Polymerase->>Polymerase: Add complementary bases Polymerase->>Ligase: Complete new strands Ligase->>DNA: Seal backbone gaps
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mermaid_sequence
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Sequence of DNA replication showing the role of different enzymes
Transcription: DNA to RNA
Transcription is the first step in gene expression, creating RNA molecules that carry genetic information from DNA.
Notes
Transcription is crucial for gene expression and protein synthesis.
Topic
Transcription
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S12
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[Gene in DNA] --> B[Promoter Recognition] B --> C[RNA Polymerase Binding] C --> D[Initiation] D --> E[Elongation] E --> F[RNA Synthesis] F --> G[Termination] G --> H[Mature RNA] style A fill:#ffeb3b style H fill:#e1f5fe
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Transcription process showing steps from gene to mature RNA
Translation: RNA to Protein
Translation converts the genetic code in mRNA into proteins, which perform most cellular functions.
Notes
Translation completes the flow of genetic information from genes to functional proteins.
Topic
Translation
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sequenceDiagram participant mRNA as mRNA participant Ribosome as Ribosome participant tRNA as tRNA participant Protein as Growing Protein mRNA->>Ribosome: Bind at start codon Ribosome->>tRNA: Read codon sequence tRNA->>Ribosome: Bring amino acid Ribosome->>Protein: Add amino acid Ribosome->>Ribosome: Move to next codon Ribosome->>Protein: Complete at stop codon
Type
mermaid_sequence
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Translation process showing how mRNA is converted to protein at ribosomes
Types of Mutations
Mutations are changes in DNA sequence that can affect protein function and organism traits. They are a source of genetic variation.
Notes
Understanding mutations is important for genetics, evolution, and medical genetics.
Topic
Mutations
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Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[DNA Mutations] --> B[Point Mutations] A --> C[Frameshift Mutations] B --> D[Substitution] D --> E[Silent] D --> F[Missense] D --> G[Nonsense] C --> H[Insertion] C --> I[Deletion] style A fill:#ffeb3b style B fill:#e1f5fe style C fill:#ffcdd2
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mermaid_flowchart
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Types of DNA mutations and their classifications
Genetic Engineering and Applications
Modern genetic engineering allows scientists to modify organisms for beneficial purposes, revolutionizing medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
Notes
Genetic engineering has practical applications that benefit society in multiple ways.
Topic
Genetic Engineering
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flowchart TD A[Genetic Engineering] --> B[Medical Applications] A --> C[Agricultural Applications] A --> D[Research Applications] B --> E[Gene Therapy] B --> F[Pharmaceutical Production] C --> G[Crop Improvement] C --> H[Disease Resistance] D --> I[DNA Sequencing] D --> J[Forensic Analysis] style A fill:#ffeb3b style B fill:#e1f5fe style C fill:#c8e6c9 style D fill:#ffcdd2
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mermaid_flowchart
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Applications of genetic engineering in various fields
Human Genome and Genomics
The Human Genome Project revolutionized our understanding of human genetics and opened new possibilities for personalized medicine and genetic research.
Notes
Understanding the human genome is crucial for modern medicine and genetic research.
Topic
Human Genetics
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S16
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16
Mermaid Diagram
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pie title Human Genome Composition "Protein-coding genes" : 2 "Introns" : 25 "Intergenic regions" : 45 "Repetitive elements" : 23 "Other sequences" : 5
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mermaid_pie
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Composition of the human genome showing that most DNA does not code for proteins
Chapter Summary and Key Takeaways
Genetics connects classical inheritance patterns with modern molecular biology, providing a comprehensive understanding of how traits are inherited and expressed.
Notes
This summary connects all major concepts covered in the genetics chapter.
Topic
Summary
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References
- BRAINBOX UPCAT AND OTHER COLLEGE ENTRANCE — Biology.pdf
- CET 2026 COMPREHENSIVE LECTURE NOTES — Science.pdf
- THE UPCAT CHAMPION CET — Science.pdf
In summary
Genetics and heredity form the foundation of biological inheritance, explaining how traits pass from parents to offspring and how genetic information controls cellular functions. From Mendel's pioneering work with pea plants to modern genetic engineering, this field continues to revolutionize our understanding of life and provides tools for improving human health and agricultural productivity. For UPCAT preparation, focus on understanding inheritance patterns, DNA structure and function, and the practical applications of genetic principles.
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