Topic 3 - Gregor Mendel & The Human Genome Project

Question 1

What is a genome?

Answer 1

It describes all the genetic information of a single organism

Question 2

Outline Gregor Mendel’s background

Answer 2

• Trained in mathematics and natural history in Vienna
• Worked in monastery gardens and observed the characteristics passed on to the next generations in plants
• Carried out breeding experiments on pea plants
• Used smooth peas, wrinkled peas, green peas and yellow peas, and observed how these characteristics are inherited

Question 3

Outline Gregor Mendel’s conclusions of 1866

Answer 3

• Offspring have some characteristics that their parents have because they inherit ‘heridatory units’ from each
• One unit is received from each parent
• Units can be dominant or recessive, and can not be mixed together

Question 4

Why wasn’t Gregor Mendel’s work immediately recognised

Answer 4

• He did not communicate his findings well
• He published in an unpopular scientific journal
• He couldn’t explain the science behind his findings

Question 5

What were the aims of the Human Genome Project?

Answer 5

• To map/produce a sequence of the human genome
• To help identfy the location of faulty or mutated genes in diseases
• To allow for the early treatment of those likely to inherit certain diseases

Question 6

What are the ethical concerns around the Human Genome Project?

Answer 6

• The risk of aborting foetuses with high chances of genetic disease
• The risk of promoting embryonic gene editing
• The risk of discrimination during job applications, if data is publicly accessible