Mendelian inheritance

Abstract

The basic patterns of genetic transmission in humans have been known for about a century, but are now coming to be understood at the molecular level. In addition to classical dominant, recessive, and sex-linked inheritance, more complex patterns have also been identified. These include maternal transmission of traits encoded in the mitochondrial genome, digenic traits determined by two distinctgenes, and genomic imprinting. It is becoming clear that both rare and common genetic traits are determined by a complex interaction of multiple genetic and nongenetic factors. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.