Lecture 1: Introduction to Genetics

Question 1

genetics is the branch of biology that deals with the principles of __ and __ in all living things

Answer 1

• heredity
• variation

Question 1

genetics is the core of __

Answer 1

biological science

Question 2

genetics impinges on other __ and __ sciences

Answer 2

• natural
• behavioral

Question 3

an inherited condition that leads to someone having very light skin, hair, and eyes. It happens because they have less __ than usual in their body. __ gives skin, hair, and eyes their color.

Answer 3

• albinism
• melanin
• melanin

Question 4

the first mammal that was cloned from an adult somatic cell.

Answer 4

Dolly the sheep

Question 5

a condition in which a baby is born with one or more extra fingers.

Answer 5

polydactyl

Question 6

GMO

Answer 6

genetically modified organism

Question 7

__ is enhanced through biotechnology to protect against insect pests. Its built-in insect protection comes from a naturally occurring microorganism called __ or “__.”

Answer 7

• Bt corn
• Bacillus thuringiensis
• Bt

Question 8

Applications of genetics

Answer 8

• Plant and Animal Improvement
• Medicine
• Genetic Counseling
• Legal Applications
• Genetic Engineering
  – Transgenics
  – Legal, Social, Environmental and Health Implications
  – Ethical Issues in Biotechnology

Question 9

an analysis of the DNA of each individual to obtain the so-called genetic profile or genetic fingerprint. By comparing the genetic profiles obtained from two individuals, the relationship between them can be determined.

Answer 9

Paternity and kinship tests

Question 10

Who was the first cloned cat and when was it produced?

Answer 10

• CC “Carbon Copy”
• Dec. 22, 2001

Question 11

Where and what year were the 1st cloned calves produced?

Answer 11

Japan 1998

Question 12

Tissue cultured __ from Australia; date from __ and was thought to be extinct __ yrs. ago

Answer 12

• Wollemi pine
• Cretaceous period
• 50M

Question 13

Applications of genetics in medicine

Answer 13

• Insulin for diabetes
• Interferon for treating cancer
• Hepatitis B vaccine

Question 14

a branch of biotechnology that employs the use of living organisms, like microbes and bacteria to decontaminate affected areas. It is used in the removal of contaminants, pollutants, and toxins from soil, water, and other environments.

Answer 14

Bioremediation

Question 15

Frost-resistant tomato with an antifreeze gene from a __

Answer 15

cold-water fish

Question 16

Recent African Origin Model suggests that our species evolved from a small African population that subsequently colonised the whole world Coalescence analysis indicates that all mtDNA in modern humans can be traced back to a single female (~100-150,000 years ago)

Answer 16

Mitochondrial ‘Eve’

Question 17

Process of Gene Therapy

Answer 17

1. Cells are removed from patient.
2. In the laboratory, a virus is altered so that it cannot reproduce.
3. A gene is inserted into the virus.
4. The altered virus is mixed with cells from the patient.
5. The cells from the patient become genetically altered.
6. The altered cells are injected into the patient.
7. The genetically altered cells produce the desired protein or hormone.

Question 18

process for Gene therapy for sickle cell disease

Answer 18

1. Collection of blood-forming stem cells
2. Stem cells corrected by beta-globin gene transfer from viral vectors
3. Transplantation of corrected stem cells back to patient

Question 19

a powerful genome editing tool targeting the mosquito vector to interrupt malaria transmission.

Answer 19

Crispr-cas9

Question 20

While genetic changes can alter which protein is made, __ changes affect gene expression to turn genes “on” and “off.”

Answer 20

epigenetic

Question 21

similarity between accretion and growth

Answer 21

increase in size

Question 22

the process of growth or increase, typically by the gradual accumulation of additional layers or matter.

Answer 22

accretion

Question 23

the difference in DNA among individuals or the differences between populations among the same species. Multiple sources of this are mutation and genetic recombination

Answer 23

Genetic variation/variation

Question 24

variation among individuals of the same species

Answer 24

intraspecific variation

Question 25

variation that occurs when comparing individuals of differing species.

Answer 25

interspecific variation

Question 26

sequences of DNA that move (or jump) from one location in the genome to another

Answer 26

Transposable elements (TEs), also known as “jumping genes” or transposons

Question 27

Explain the case of paloverde

Answer 27

• A paloverde tree stands guard in an Arizona desert. In 1993, one of these trees helped solve a crime when it dropped its distinct seeds into a murderer’s pickup truck.
• the first use of Plant DNA in a murder trial

Question 28

Explain the OJ Simpson Case

Answer 28

• OJ Simpson allegedly murdered his wife and her lover.
• allegedly left his glove and blood drops near the scene of the crime
• In the O.J. Simpson trial, the defense contested DNA evidence by suggesting the blood samples contained EDTA, a preservative. They argued that this implied tampering. However, skepticism surrounded the reliability of EDTA testing methods. Despite the controversy, O.J. Simpson was found not guilty. The case highlights challenges in interpreting scientific evidence in high-profile trials.

Question 29

Explain the case of the Goldenstate killer

Answer 29

• The Golden State Killer case involved a serial criminal responsible for numerous crimes in California between 1974 and 1986.
• The FBI used genetic genealogy to identify the suspect, Joseph James DeAngelo, in 2018. Investigators uploaded crime scene DNA to a public genealogy database, identified distant relatives, and built a family tree to trace the suspect.
• DeAngelo was arrested in 2018 and later pleaded guilty to 13 murders, 151 rapes, and 120 burglaries.