Hets and Hypos... help!?

[gothkenny]

I was wondering if anyone would explain to me what the difference between 'Het' and 'Hypo' means. Originally I just assumed that Het meant 'carrier' or a certain recessive gene but then I was lost on what Hypo meant. Sorry if this sounds like a newb question. D=

Help?

[Freakie_frog]

Hypo is short or Hypomelanistic or a lack of melanin.So het describes its genetic make up while Hypo describes the mutation expressed in the genes Homozygous from.

[gothkenny]

Oh thank you so much for helping! =D
I've had this question for a while but I assumed that people would be mean about it. xD I mean, I've studied BPs for 3 years and I don't know this yet? =)

[Freakie_frog]

Naaa we don't bite....Oh well Deb does but she French so its all good.. Don't worry about asking questions thats how we all learn,

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Naaa we don't bite....Oh well Deb does but she French so its all good

You're in trouble mister

[Freakie_frog]

You're in trouble mister

[RandyRemington]

Genes come in pairs, one copy of each gene from each parent. If the pair match (both the same version of that gene) they the genotype with respect to that gene is homozygous. If the pair is a mismatch (for example one normal version of the gene paired with one mutant version from the other parent) then the genotype is heterozygous, or het for short. It only works out that hets are normal looking gene carriers with recessive mutations. Hets for co-dominant and dominant mutations are visible morphs, like spiders and pastels. Most ball python people only use het for recessive morphs but it's technically correct to use it any time the genotype includes an unmatched pair.

The Hypomelanistic mutation is also often called Ghost in ball pythons. It is a single recessive mutation but unfortunately the term was already being used for a combination of mutations in other snake species so there is some confusion in this area. Sometimes you will hear ball python people talk about the attempt to produce a True Ghost which will be the Hypomelansitic + Axanthic combo in ball pythons.

[muddoc]

Hypo is short or Hypomelanistic or a lack of melanin.So het describes its genetic make up while Hypo describes the mutation expressed in the genes Homozygous from.

Just a quick correction. Lacking melanin is also called Amelanistic or Albino. HYPOmelanistic is a reduction in melanin, but not a lack there of.

[starmom]

You're in trouble mister

You guys crack me up. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face this morning!!

[gothkenny]

Thank you guys so much! =)