For each trait, offspring may be like one parent, intermediate, or unlike both. Mendel's principles of inheritance 1. Traits transmitted by genes. Principle of dominance When an individual has 2 alleles for a gene, often only 1 is expressed. Principle of independent assortment Each trait is inherited without relation to other traits.
Offspring tend to be like parents, but show variation.
Step 2 repeated over many generations, pop.