genetics Flashcards
Transmission genetics
Study of the transmission of genes from generation to generation
molecular genetics
Study of the structure and function of genes at the molecular level
population genetics
Study of the genetic differences within and between populations or individuals
quantitative genetics
Study of the effects of many genes
Trait
A characteristic feature of an organism
* Tend to run in families in predictable ways
* Controlled by one or more genes
* May not be visible (DNA sequences)
genotype
The genetic variant present at a given location in the genome
* Variants of a genotype are alleles
* Can be represented by symbols (e.g., BB, Bb or bb)
phenotype
An individual’s observable traits
* Determined by the interaction between their genotype and the environment
chromosome
A structure composed of DNA and proteins that bears genetic information
gene
A section of DNA that codes for a polypeptide or RNA
gene locus
A specific location of a gene along a chromosome
alleles
Different molecular forms of the same gene
* There may be many alleles at a locus
ploidy
The number of copies of a genome an organism has
haploid
Having a single set of chromosomes (i.e., only 1 allele per locus, “n”)
diploid
Having two sets of paired chromosomes (i.e., 2 alleles per locus, one on each copy of a chromosome; “2n”)
cell cycle (4 main events)
- Cell division signals
- DNA replication
- DNA segregation
- Cytokinesis These events occur differently in prokaryotes and eukaryotes
cell division in prokaryotes
Cell division is called binary fission, replication of the entire single-celled organism
Cell division signals are usually external factors such as nutrient concentration and environmental conditions
how many chromosomes do prokaryotes have?
1 circular chromosome
2 important prokaryote chromosome regions
ori—where replication starts (origin)
ter—where replication ends (terminus)
prokaryote DNA segregation
When replication is complete, ori regions move to opposite ends of the cell, segregating the daughter chromosomes
prokaryote Cytokinesis
Cell membrane pinches in, protein fibers form a ring
New cell wall materials are synthesized, resulting in separation of the two cells
cell division eukaryotes
Cell division is through mitosis (or in some tissues, meiosis)
Cell division is regulated based on the needs of the entire organism
eukaryotic DNA replication
- Eukaryotes have more than one chromosome
- Replication starts at may origins on each
- Replication is limited to one part of the cell cycle
interphase (e)
Nucleus is visible
Cell functions occur Has 3 subphases:
* Growth 1 (G1)
* Synthesis (S)
* Growth 2 (G2)
G1 phase (e)
- Chromosomes are single (unreplicated)
- Duration is variable, from minutes to years
- Ends at the G1-to-S transition, when commitment is made to DNA replication and cell division
S phase (e)
- DNA replicates
- Sister chromatids remain together until mitosis
G2 phase (e)
- Cell prepares for mitosis, e.g., by synthesizing the structures that move the chromatids
M phase (e)
Includes mitosis and cytokinesis
Mitosis
Leads to the production of two nuclei that are genetically identical to each other and to the nucleus of the cell that entered the cell cycle in G1
Subdivided into prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase
Asexual reproduction is based on mitosis
A single-celled organism reproduces itself with each cell cycle
Some multicellular organisms also reproduce asexually
Meiosis
Sexual reproduction requires meiosis
* Offspring are not identical to the parents
* Gametes are created by meiosis
* Gametes and offspring differ genetically from each other and from the parent
Two nuclear divisions, but DNA is replicated only once
Reduces chromosome number from diploid (2n) to haploid (n)
Ensures each haploid product has a complete set of chromosomes
Meiosis generates genetic diversity that is the raw material of evolution
crossing over
Exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids
sexual life cycles
Evolution has generated many different versions of the sexual life cycle.
* All involve meiosis to produce haploid cells
* Fertilization and meiosis alternate
* Haploid (n) cells or organisms alternate with diploid (2n) cells or organisms
monohybrid crosses
Cross parental varieties with contrasting traits for a single character
law of segregation
The two copies of a gene separate during gamete formation. Each gamete receives only one copy.
law of independent assortment
Copies of different genes assort independently
The second law is now understood in the context of meiosis.
* Chromosomes segregate independently during formation of gametes, and so do any two genes located on separate chromosome pairs
multiplication rule
Probability of two independent events happening together: multiply the probabilities of the individual events Tossing two coins: probability that both will come up heads = ½ × ½ = ¼
addition rule
The probability of an event that can occur in two different ways is the sum of the individual probabilities
In F2, there are two ways to get Rr, thus ¼ + ¼ = ½
alleles
New alleles arise through mutation
Are stable, inherited changes in the DNA
the wild type
an allele that is common, and thought of as the “default” phenotype
polymorphic
A gene with multiple alleles
epistasis
when the phenotypic expression of one gene is influenced by the products of other genes
penetrance
the proportion of individuals with a genotype that develop the expected phenotype
expressivity
the degree to which a phenotype is expressed in an individual