Ch. 2 Flashcards
What is genetics concerned with?
How traits are passed down to offspring
Genetics involves the study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics.
What is the unit of heredity?
Genes
Genes are segments of DNA that determine specific traits.
Who is known as the father of modern genetics?
Gregor Mendel
Mendel’s experiments with pea plants laid the groundwork for the field of genetics.
What technique did Mendel use for his studies?
Cross breeding
This technique involved mating plants with different traits to observe inheritance patterns.
What is the P generation in Mendelian genetics?
True-breeding parents
The P generation refers to the original parents in a genetic cross.
What ratio of phenotypes is expected in the F2 generation according to Mendel’s law of segregation?
3:1
This ratio represents the dominant to recessive phenotype ratio in the offspring.
What does Mendel’s law of independent assortment state?
Traits get mixed
This law indicates that the inheritance of one trait generally does not affect the inheritance of another.
What are autosomal recessive disorders?
Disorders that require two copies of the recessive allele to be expressed
Examples include albinism, where both parents can be carriers.
What are examples of X-linked recessive traits?
- Hemophilia
- Color blindness
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy
These traits are linked to the X chromosome and exhibit specific patterns of inheritance.
What is the Human Genome Project?
A project aimed at determining the complete nucleotide sequence of each chromosome
The project was conducted from 1990 to 2003 and greatly advanced our understanding of genetics.
What are the types of RNA?
- mRNA
- rRNA
mRNA specifies the order of amino acids, while rRNA is a component of ribosomes.
What does gene expression control?
The production of proteins
Gene expression is regulated to respond to various internal and external stimuli.
What is the genetic code characterized by?
- Unambiguous
- Redundant
- Universal
The genetic code is read in codons and applies to all living organisms.
What does SNP stand for?
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
SNPs are variations at a single base-pair site in the genome and can serve as genetic markers.
What is DNA cloning?
Isolating and making many copies of a DNA segment
Techniques include PCR and cDNA synthesis.
What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
An organism with a different gene inserted into its genome
GMOs are created for various purposes, including agriculture and medicine.
What are restriction enzymes used for?
Cutting DNA
These enzymes are crucial in genetic engineering to manipulate DNA sequences.
What is genetic screening used for?
Identifying genetic markers and early detection of diseases
Techniques include genome-wide association studies and fetal screening.
What is CRISPR-Cas9?
A system used for editing genes and genomes
CRISPR technology allows for precise modifications in DNA.
