Ch 1: Introduction to Genetics

Question 1

branches of genetics

Answer 1

transmission, molecular, population

Question 2

model genetic organisms

Answer 2

organisms having characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis (fruit fly, E. Coli, nematode worm, thale-cress plant, house mouse, baker’s yeast)

Question 3

Pangenisis

Answer 3

inheritance of acquired characteristics; stated that specific particles called gemmules carry information from various parts of body to reproductive organs from which they are passed onto embryo upon conception

Question 4

Preformationism

Answer 4

fully formed at conception, all traits were inherited from the one parent, involved the homunculus (miniature human curled inside of gamete)

Question 5

Blending Inheritance

Answer 5

offspring are a mix of parental phenotypes, suggested that the genetic material itself blends (and cannot be “unblended” or separated)

Question 6

cell theory

Answer 6

offspring are a mix of parental phenotypes, suggested that the genetic material itself blends (and cannot be “unblended” or separated)

Question 7

germ-plasm theory

Answer 7

all cells contain a complete set of genetic information

Question 8

gene

Answer 8

fundamental unit of heredity; found at locations on chromosomes called loci; exist in multiples forms called alleles; expressed as a phenotype

Question 9

evolution

Answer 9

genetic change in a population, where genetic variation is introduced; variation can increase or decrease in frequency based on fitness (what is favored based on selective pressure of environment)

Question 10

transmission genetics

Answer 10

basic principles of heredity and how traits are passed from one generation to the next; relation between chromosomes and heredity, arrangement of genes on chromosomes, and gene mapping; focus on individual organism

Question 11

molecular genetics

Answer 11

chemical nature of gene itself- how genetic information is encoded, replicated, and expressed; cellular processes of replication, transcription, and translation (by which genetic information is transferred from one molecule to another) and gene regulation (processes that control expression of genetic information); focus on gene (structure, organization, and function)

Question 12

population genetics

Answer 12

genetic composition of groups of individual members of same species (population) and how that composition changes geographically and with passage of time; study of evolution; focus on groups of genes found in a population