Final answer:
Inheritance is the genetic process where traits are passed from parents to offspring, explained by three main principles and represented by tools like Punnett squares. Polymorphism in biology refers to the occurrence of different forms of a gene within a population. In contrast, in computer science, these terms relate to object-oriented programming.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Inheritance and Polymorphism
The concepts of inheritance and polymorphism are fundamental in biology and computer science, albeit with different contexts. In biology, inheritance refers to the genetic mechanism by which characteristics or traits are passed down from parent to offspring. This process is governed by three main principles: the law of segregation, the law of independent assortment, and the law of dominance. Polymorphism, in biological terms, refers to the occurrence of different forms or alleles of a gene in a population.
In computer science, inheritance is a feature of object-oriented programming that allows a new class to take on the properties of an existing class, while polymorphism is the ability of different classes to respond to the same function call in different ways.
Inheritance in Biology
Inheritance in biology is showcased through a Punnett square, which helps to predict the probable genotype and phenotype ratios of offspring in a monohybrid cross. By denoting the alleles contributed by the parents, one can calculate expected proportions. If a dominant trait is represented by 'A' and a recessive trait by 'a', a cross between two heterozygous individuals (Aa x Aa) will result in a phenotypic ratio of 3:1 for the dominant to recessive traits.
Polymorphism in Biology
In terms of polymorphism, it can be exemplified by blood types in humans, where multiple alleles (A, B, O) are responsible for the different blood types, showing a polygenic form of inheritance that cannot be explained solely by Mendel's model.