Lecture 1: Intro

Question 1

What is the source of genetic/phenotype variation

Answer 1

Mutation

Question 2

Phenotype is a result of

Answer 2

Complex interactions between multiple genes interacting with the environment

Question 3

Pre-implantation genetic screening

Answer 3

Screens for genetic defects prior to embryo implantation

Question 4

Luxturna

Answer 4

First gene therapy to treat inherited disease

Genetically modified virus that ferries a healthy gene into the eyes of patients w/retinal dystrophy

Question 5

What is a Genome

Answer 5

A complete set of genetic instructions for any organism

Either DNA or RNA

Question 6

Transmission genetics

Answer 6

Classical genetics, how traits are passed from one generation to the next

Question 7

Molecular genetics

Answer 7

Gene structure, function and regulation

Question 8

Population genetics

Answer 8

The study of genetic compositions of groups (populations) and how gene frequency changes geographically or with time

Question 9

Most intensively used genetic organisms

Answer 9

Fruit fly (Drosophila)
E. coli
C. elegans
Arabidopsis
Mus musculus (mouse)
Yeast
Zebrafish

Question 10

Common characteristics of model organisms

Answer 10

Short generation time
Numerous progeny
Ability to carry out controlled genetic crosses
Ability to be reared in a lab environment
Availability of numerous genetic variants
Accumulated body of knowledge about their genetic systems

Question 11

Homeobox importance

Answer 11

Homeobox sequence has remained unchanged over millions of years
These genes play vital role in general organization of the body in almost all animals

Question 12

First multicellular organism to have whole genome sequenced

Answer 12

C. elegans

Question 13

Germ-plasm theory

Answer 13

Inheritance in a multicellular organism only takes place by means of the germ cells: the gametes, such as egg cell and sperm cells

Question 14

Cell theory

Answer 14

All life is composed of cells, and cells arise only from cells

Question 15

Mendelian inheritance

Answer 15

Traits are inherited in accord with defined principals

Question 16

Preformationists

Answer 16

Believed that sperm or eggs contained fully formed humans

Question 17

Blending inheritance

Answer 17

The (incorrect) thought that inherited traits are determined from a range bound by traits found in parents.
If you have a short and tall parent, you will be somewhere in-between or the same as one.

Question 18

Lamarckianism

Answer 18

If organism changes during life to adapt to its environment, those changes are passed on
Giraffe example- necks stretch during life to reach food and longer necks are passed on (incorrect)

Question 19

Pangenesis

Answer 19

Genetic information travels from different parts of the body to reproductive organs (incorrect)
(cells from brain, kidney, liver, etc.. all travel to sperm/egg and are transferred to gametes)

Question 20

What is the fundamental unit of heredity

Answer 20

Genes

Question 21

What confers phenotypes

Answer 21

Genes

Question 22

Gene definition

Answer 22

Distinct sequence of nucleotides forming part of chromosome

Question 23

Allele

Answer 23

One of two or more alternative forms of a gene that arise by mutation and are at the same place on chromosome

Question 24

Chromosome

Answer 24

Threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus, carrying genetic information in the form of genes