Chapter 1 Flashcards
What is genetics?
The study of biological information passed on from one generation to the next (heredity).
What are the ten reasons genetics is important?
– Lives
– Diseases and Disorders
– Agriculture
– Biotechnology and Medicine
– Economic impact
– Legal impact
– Philosophical impact
– Study of Biology
What is a gene?
A unit of hereditary information, a sequence in the DNA that codes for something.
What is a genome?
A complete set of genetic instructions for any organism
What is the difference between a gene and a genome?
A gene is a specific segment of DNA that tells cells how to function. A genome is the entirety of the genetic material inside an organism
What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?
A theory stating that genetic information flows only in one direction, from DNA, to RNA, to protein, or RNA directly to protein
What is a Model genetic organism?
organisms with characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis
What are six types of model genetic organisms?
Fruit fly, bacterium, nematode, thale-cross plant, house mouse, baker’s yeast.
What are some characteristics of model genetic organisms?
-Short generation time
-Production of numerous progeny
-The ability to be reared inexpensively in a lab environment
What are the three divisions of genetics?
- Transmission genetics (punnett squares, inheritance, gene mapping).
- Molecular genetics (Central Dogma).
- Population genetics (Entire populations genetics).
What is the difference between Eukaryotic and Prokaryotic?
Eukaryotic cells are cells containing membrane-bound organelles and are the basis for both unicellular and multicellular organisms. In contrast, prokaryotic cells do not have any membrane-bound organelles and are always part of unicellular organisms
Eukaryotic Cell
Any of the single-celled or multicellular organisms whose cell contains a distinct, membrane-bound nucleus (Animal and Plant cells).
Prokaryotic cells
Cells that do not have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles (Bacterium and Archea).
What is the long informal history of genetics?
- Domestication of plants and animals
- Selective Breeding
- Ancient Greeks- theories of inheritance
What was Pangenisis and the Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics? (Ancient Greeks)
Pangenesis- Genetic information travels from different parts of the body to reproductive organs.
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics -Acquired traits become incorporated into hereditary information.
