Introduction to Genetics Flashcards
Transmission genetics
Transfer of genetic information from parents to offspring; understand and predict how traits are inherited
Molecular genetics
deals w/ DNA and the genome; understanding gene structure, expression and function; Central Dogma
What is the genetic material in eukaryotes and prokaryotes? What is the genetic material in some viruses?
Eukaryotes and prokaryotes: DNA
Some viruses: RNA
Genome
an organism’s full DNA sequence, or the DNA or RNA sequence of a virus
What is DNA composed of and look like?
two chains each made of nucleotides composed of a deoxyribose sugar, a phosphate group, and a base; a double helix
What are the four bases in DNA?
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine
What base is replaced in RNA and what is it called?
In RNA, Uracil replaces Thymine
Genes
specific base sequences passing traits from parents to offspring
How is genetic material in cells organized?
into chromosomes
What is the difference between how DNA is organized in prokaryotes and eukaryotes?
In prokaryotes, DNA is in a singular, circular chromosome.
In eukaryotes, DNA is either in the form of chromosome in a nucleus or in a circular molecule in an organelle.
Endosymbiosis theory
Organelles appeared from prokaryotes; Ex: mitochondria and chloroplast
Chromosome
composed of DNA and protein; circular in prokaryotes and linear in eukaryotes
Centromere
constricted part of a chromosome that holds together two chromatids
Nucleosomes
DNA packaged efficiently in a chromosome, coiled around molecular spools
Each nucleosome is composed of eight proteins called?
Histones