ABSTRACT
The basic topics of genetics which are necessary for the study of QTL mapping are discussed in this chapter. First, we give a brief sketch of the history of genetics. Then, we describe the basic elements of genetics, elucidate two types of cell division: mitosis and meiosis, and explain the phenomena of crossover and recombination. Finally, we discuss topics most closely related to QTL mapping: genetic maps, mapping functions and experimental crosses. Some of the basic materials in this chapter are adapted from the text book by Robert J. Brooker [23]. For a deeper immersion in genetics, the reader is referred to this book. For a quick and general overview on genetics, The Cartoon Guide to Genetics [74] is recommended.
