GENETICS
Genetics means the study of inherited variation also known
as polymorphism.(1)The study of genes through their variation. (2)
The study of inheritance. Polymorphism is the occurrence, together
in the same population, of more than one allele or genetic marker
at the same locus with the least frequent allele or marker occurring
more frequently than can be accounted for by mutation alone. Genes
are the fundamental physical and functional unit of heredity,
which carries information from one generation to the next.
It
is important to remember that an Angelfish's color, growth rate and
adult size are a product of not only it's genetic material but also
environmental factors. These factors include, but are not limited
to, tank size, temperature, frequency of feeding, nutrition, water
quality, and the length of day called the "photo period." Dr.
Joanne Norton has spent over 20 years studying the genetics
of Angelfish. Her articles will help you to understand how the genetics
and environmental influences work together to produce many of our
angelfish varieties. The
genetics terminology will allow you to have
a better understanding of the term itself and how it works.