NEET Genetics: Complete Guide to Mendelian Genetics and Molecular Biology

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Genetics is the highest-weightage Biology topic in NEET, appearing as 15-20 questions every year. Mastering Genetics from NCERT and practicing PYQs is the single highest-ROI activity in NEET Biology preparation.

Mendelian Genetics (5-6 questions)

Law of Segregation, Law of Independent Assortment. Monohybrid and dihybrid cross ratios (3:1, 9:3:3:1). Dominant, recessive, incomplete dominance, codominance. Test cross, back cross. Epistasis types (12:3:1, 13:3, 15:1, etc.).

Chromosomal Theory and Linkage

Morgan's experiments with Drosophila. Linked genes and recombination frequency. Sex determination (XX/XY, ZW/ZZ systems). Sex-linked inheritance (hemophilia, colorblindness examples). Law of linked genes vs independent assortment.

DNA Structure, Replication, and Repair

Watson-Crick model — key features (antiparallel strands, base pairing, double helix dimensions). DNA replication: semi-conservative model (Meselson-Stahl experiment). Enzymes: Helicase, Primase, DNA Polymerase I and III, Ligase, Topoisomerase. Okazaki fragments, leading vs lagging strand.

Central Dogma: Transcription and Translation

Transcription: RNA polymerase, promoter, template strand, hnRNA, mRNA processing (capping, tailing, splicing). Translation: ribosome structure, tRNA (anticodon), codon-anticodon recognition, elongation, termination codons. Genetic code properties (degenerate, universal, non-overlapping).

Genetic Disorders and Mutations

Chromosomal disorders: Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Turner's (45 X), Klinefelter's (47 XXY). Gene mutations: point mutations, frame shift. Genetic disorders: Sickle cell anemia, PKU, ABO blood groups. The NEET question types: identify the disorder from karyotype description or from inheritance pattern.

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