Introductory Concepts Flashcards
What is genetics?
Scientific study of genes and heredity
-how DNA controls what an organism looks like
-how traits are passed from parents to offspring
What is transmission genetics?
Study of transmission of genes from generation to generation
-experimental crosses
-selective breeding for desired traits
-pedigree analysis to trace diseases in families
What is molecular genetics?
Study of structure and function of genes at molecular level
What is population genetics?
Study of genetic differences within and between populations or individuals
What is quantitative genetics?
Study of effect of many genes
What is a saviour sibling?
Parents can choose to have another child go act as a donor for stem cells
Embryos are genetically screened to select one that will be a perfect match and donor for the living sibling
Donation is typically stem cells from umbilical cord blood
Bone marrow donation is also common
What is a trait?
Characteristic feature of an organism
What is genotype?
Genetic variant present at given location in the genome
What is phenotype?
Individuals observed traits, determined by the interaction between the genotype and the environment
What is a chromosome?
Structure composed of DNA and proteins that bears genetic information
What is a gene?
Section of DNA that codes for a polypeptide or RNA
What is genetics locus?
Specific location of a gene along a chromosome
What is an Allele?
Different molecular forms of the same gene
What is ploidy?
Number of copies of a genome an organism has
What is haploid?
Having a single set of chromosomes (one Allele per locus)
What is diploid?
Having two sets of paired chromosomes (2 alleles per locus)
