Genetics Flashcards
Gregor Mendel and dominant-recessive genes
“invisible factors” = genes
punnet squares
dominant-recessive genes
DNA
contains all genetic info
Gene
codes for a protein
Chromosome
long strand of dna, made up of many genes
Allele
an alternative from of a gene
Meiosis
reproductive cell division
Parent cell → DNA replicates → 2 daughter cells, each with two sets of half the DNA → 4 daughter cells, each with half the DNA
Mitosis
cell replication
Parent cell → DNA replicates → 2 daughter cells, identical to parent cell
Types of variation/mutation (3 kinds)
Genetic mixing and recombination
(during meiosis, genetic material swapped between DNA on chromosomes)
Errors occur during DNA replication
(point mutations, additions/deletions)
Induced by mutagens (chemicals, radiation, e.g. UV, cigarette smoke, etc)
Gene Pool (and animal example)
Total amount of genetic material in a group that interbreeds
The gene pool for a rabbit population, for example, includes alleles which determine coat color, ear size, whisker length, tail shape, and many other traits
Genetic drift (and animal example)
change in population, from a change in gene frequency based on chance events
Natural disaster kills a random number of animals in a group, eliminating a trait randomly
Gene flow (and animal example)
An individual from a different population enters a group and breeds
Mountain lion travels far distance, mates with female in different area
Phenotype
outward, physical appearance
Genotype
an individual’s genetic makeup
Outbreeding
mating of unrelated but similar animals
increases heterzygosity
Inbreeding
mating of 2 closely related animals
Increases homozygosity
Strategy defined
course of behavior that has successfully resulted in an animal finding “optimal solutions” regarding the necessities of life.
Optimality theory
when an animal is most efficient in their behaviors
Evolutionary Stable Strategy (animal example)
a strategy so efficient and successful that it wouldn’t be replaced, unless conditions drastically change
e.g. musk ox males fighting over females. don’t get female unless you fight
e.g. baboons go to a spot, dig, water is there. (only changes when environment changes and water dries up)
Mixed Evolutionary Stable Strategy (animal example)
more than one strategy/backup strategy
e.g. capuchin monkeys cracking nuts take effort. alone, they do it. other monkeys around, they don’t, because a different monkey could steal it
Polygeny
several genes influence one trait
Pleiotropy
one gene affects several traits
Sexual Selection
a selection whereby those traits related to reproductive success are emphasized, selected for and passed on.
Kin Selection (2 predictions)
an animal helps a relative over a nonrelative
an animal helps close kin over distant kin
Direct Fitness
how many biological offspring an individual has
Indirect Fitness
how many biological offspring your relatives have
Inclusive Fitness
Direct fitness + indirect fitness
Nature vs. Nurture (know animal examples of these effects)
genes vs environment
nature: bird’s instinct to build a nest, spider web construction, salmon returning to spawning grounds
nurture: monkey social behavior, elephant social structure, chimpanzee tool use
Intrauterine Effects in Rodents. (2M males & 2M females)
environmental impacts outside the realm of genetics that affects behavior
Testosterone is leaked between offspring
2M males: more aggressive, more offspring
2M females: defeminized, reach sexual maturity later, fewer offspring
FosB gene in mice (what does it control)
FosB gene controls nurturing behavior
Epigenetics defined (animal example)
interaction of genes, experience, and the environment (gene expression changed by the environment)
young mice licked more = more calm, young mice licked less = more stressed
environmental factor (licking) influences gene expression without actually altering the DNA.
