Lecture 1 - Introduction to Genetics & Chromosome Structure Flashcards
What is genetics?
L1 S5
Study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms.
List and define the different divisions of genetics.
L1 S18
Transmission genetics: study of how genes/traits are passed from generation to generation
Molecular genetics: study gene structure, function, and regulation
Population genetics: study of genetic composition of a population and how it changes over time
What does it mean when an organism is a model genetic organism? What characteristics are sought in a model organism?
L1 S20
Organisms with characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis
Characteristics:
- short generation time
- numerous progeny
- easy to grow/breed in laboratory setting
- availability of genetic variants
- body of knowledge about genetic systems (numerous previous studies)
What are the seven most common model genetic organisms?
L1 S20
- Fruit fly (Drosphila)
- E. coli
- C. elegans
- Arabidopsis
- Mus musculus
- Yeast (Sachamomyces)
- Zebra fish (Danio rerio)
Why are the results of research on model genetic organisms useful for human applications?
L1 S20-25
There are basic similarities in the mechanisms of genetic systems of all living organisms.
Also, some genes have been highly conserved amongst all species and even more are conserved amongst more closely related species.
What are some of the implications of all organisms having similar genetic systems?
L1 S27/28
A. That all life forms are genetically related.
B. That research findings on one organism’s gene function can often be applied to other organisms
C. That genes from one organism can often exist and thrive in another organism.
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
What is Lamarckianism? Is it accurate
L1 S33
If an organism changes during life in order to adapt to its environment, those changes are passed on to its offspring.
Although overall it is false, there are instances of epigenetic inheritance that are similar to this.
What is preformationism?
L1 S31
Theory that stated sperm or eggs contained fully formed humans.
Based off the perceived observance of what appeared to be tiny humans in sperm when viewed under the microscope early on.
What is blending inheritance?
L1 S32
Theory that genes of the phenotype of the offspring is obtained by blending the phenotypes of the parents.
Although this is observed in some instances, such as some colors of flowers, it is not observed in all traits.
What is germplasm theory?
L1 S40
Inheritance in a multicellular organism only takes place by means of germline cells
