LEC 1 Flashcards
Genetics
The study of genes heredity and genetic variation
Gene
A basic unit of heredity
Sequence of DNA that codes for a product and its regulatory regions
Located on chromosomes
Allele
One of two or more versions of a gene
A genome
Complete genetic material in a cell
Divisions of genetics
Transmission genetics
Molecular genetics
Population genetics
Transmission genetics
The basic principles of heredity
How traits are passed from one generation to the next
Focus is on the individual
Molecular genetics
The chemical nature of the gene
How genetic information is encoded replicated, and expressed
Focus is gene structure, organization, and function
Population genetics
Genetic composition of populations
How genetic composition changes geographically and with the passage of time
Focus is on a group of alleles/genes found in a population
Traits/phenotypes are different from
Genes
Traits/phenotypes
Observable characteristic
Manifest as a result of the genes an individual carries, and the environment that influences the expression of the genes
Genes are
Inherited while traits are not
Heritable trait
When a particular trait can be passed genetically
Central dogma of genetics
4 base nucleotide DNA is transcribed into mRNA and then turned into a protein by translation
Genetics and evolution
All organisms are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor
Thus the coding system for genetic info is the same for all living organisms
Model genetic organisms
Organisms that have characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis
