Final answer:
The trait of albinism is carried from parent to offspring through a gene, which is the fundamental unit of heredity. Albinism is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning a mutation affecting both copies of a responsible gene leads to the lack of pigment production. This genetic disorder demonstrates Mendelian inheritance patterns, where specific alleles determine an organism's genotype and phenotype.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fundamental unit of heredity that carries the trait of albinism from parent to offspring is called a gene. Albinism is a genetic disorder that is typically inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, meaning that both copies of a gene in an individual must be altered for a person to be affected by the condition. The specific cause of albinism is a mutation in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin, the pigment responsible for coloring the skin, hair, and eyes. If the enzyme that converts tyrosine to melanin is not functioning correctly due to a gene mutation, melanin production is impeded or halted, leading to albinism.
When discussing inheritance, the terms phenotype and genotype are important. The phenotype refers to the observable traits of an organism, such as the lack of pigment in individuals with albinism. The genotype is the underlying genetic makeup, consisting of the specific alleles an organism carries. Individuals with albinism typically have a homozygous recessive genotype for the gene related to melanin production.
Understanding albinism and other inherited genetic disorders is rooted in Mendelian inheritance patterns. These patterns were first described by Gregor Mendel, who determined through his experiments with pea plants that parents pass on discretely inherited traits to their offspring. Analysis of these patterns, using tools like Punnett squares, can predict the likelihood of inheritance of traits like albinism.