Unit 1- Intro to Genetics Flashcards
When were plants and animals domesticated?
10,000-12,000 years ago
Aristotle’s Theories
- daughters resemble mothers
- sons resemble fathers
- blood as carrier of inheritance (“xyz is in my blood”)
Pangenesis
- 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
Inheritance of acquired characteristics
traits acquired in an individuals life become incorporated into heredity info and passed on to offspring
Preformationism
- inside the egg or sperm exists a fully formed mini adult (homunculus)
- simply enlarges in course of development
blending inheritance
traits of offspring are a blend, or mix of parental traits (genetic material mixes like yellow + blue paint makes green paint)
Matthias Scheiden and Theodor Schwann
*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
Flemming
*chromosomes
- obs the division of chromosomes in 1879
- published an in-depth description of mitosis
Darwin
*evolution
- put forth the theory of evolution through natural selection
- published his ideas in “On Origin of Species” in 1859
Gregor Mendel
*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
Weismann
- germ-plasm theory (cells in the
reproductive organs carry a complete set of genetic informa-
tion that is passed to the egg and sperm)
Sutton
*genes located on chromosomes
why are genes important?
- affect susceptibility to diseases and disorders
- agriculture
- biotechnology and medicine
genome
a complete set of genetic instruction for any org (either RNA or DNA)
chromosomes
highly compacted unit of heredity
histones
specialized proteins that DNA twists around to condense DNA
Genes
- fundamental unit of heredity
- confer phenotype
- located on chromosomes
Alleles
alternate versions of genes
Chargaff’s Rules
A=T and G=C
(study DNA structure in notes)
polygenic trait
traits affected by multiple genes
transmission genetics
*how traits are passed on, gen to gen
- focus on indiv
molecular genetics
*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
population genetics
*how genes behave in a population
- how genetic composition changes geographically and with passage of time
Model Genetic Organisms
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
nucleotide makeup
sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base (A, T/U, C, G)
