Unit 1- Intro to Genetics

Question 1

When were plants and animals domesticated?

Answer 1

10,000-12,000 years ago

Question 2

Aristotle’s Theories

Answer 2

• daughters resemble mothers
• sons resemble fathers
• blood as carrier of inheritance (“xyz is in my blood”)

Question 3

Pangenesis

Answer 3

• Each part of the body contains genetic info for that particular part
  1) specific particles, called gemmules, carry info from parts of body to reproductive organs
  2) Then passed to embryo at conception

Question 4

Inheritance of acquired characteristics

Answer 4

traits acquired in an individuals life become incorporated into heredity info and passed on to offspring

Question 5

Preformationism

Answer 5

• inside the egg or sperm exists a fully formed mini adult (homunculus)
• simply enlarges in course of development

Question 6

blending inheritance

Answer 6

traits of offspring are a blend, or mix of parental traits (genetic material mixes like yellow + blue paint makes green paint)

Question 7

Matthias Scheiden and Theodor Schwann

Answer 7

*cell theory
- all life composed of cells
- cells arise only from preexisting cells
- cells are the fundamental unit of structure and function in living organisms

Question 8

Flemming

Answer 8

*chromosomes
- obs the division of chromosomes in 1879
- published an in-depth description of mitosis

Question 9

Darwin

Answer 9

*evolution
- put forth the theory of evolution through natural selection
- published his ideas in “On Origin of Species” in 1859

Question 10

Gregor Mendel

Answer 10

*Principles of Heredity
- austrian monk
- conclusions not widely known in the scientific community until 35 years after publication in 1865
- generally recognized today as the father of modern genetics

Question 11

Weismann

Answer 11

• germ-plasm theory (cells in the
  reproductive organs carry a complete set of genetic informa-
  tion that is passed to the egg and sperm)

Question 12

Sutton

Answer 12

*genes located on chromosomes

Question 13

why are genes important?

Answer 13

• affect susceptibility to diseases and disorders
• agriculture
• biotechnology and medicine

Question 14

genome

Answer 14

a complete set of genetic instruction for any org (either RNA or DNA)

Question 15

chromosomes

Answer 15

highly compacted unit of heredity

Question 16

histones

Answer 16

specialized proteins that DNA twists around to condense DNA

Question 17

Genes

Answer 17

• fundamental unit of heredity
• confer phenotype
• located on chromosomes

Question 18

Alleles

Answer 18

alternate versions of genes

Question 19

Chargaff’s Rules

Answer 19

A=T and G=C
(study DNA structure in notes)

Question 20

polygenic trait

Answer 20

traits affected by multiple genes

Question 21

transmission genetics

Answer 21

*how traits are passed on, gen to gen
- focus on indiv

Question 22

molecular genetics

Answer 22

*how genetic material behaves at the molec level
- chem nature of gene
- how genetic info is encoded, replicated, and expressed
- focus on gene and its structure, organization, and function

Question 23

population genetics

Answer 23

*how genes behave in a population
- how genetic composition changes geographically and with passage of time

Question 24

Model Genetic Organisms

Answer 24

organisms with characteristics that make them ideal for genetic analysis:
(fruit fly, E coli, Nematode, Thale-cress plant, house mouse, and Baker’s yeast)
- short gen time
- lots of children
- the ability to carry out controlled genetic crosses
- can be reared in a lab
- accumulated body of knowledge about their genetic systems

Question 25

nucleotide makeup

Answer 25

sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base (A, T/U, C, G)