GENETICS

• What is the field of study that focuses on heredity?


  Genetics
• Why is genetics considered the center of all biology?

  Because gene activity underlies all biological processes
• What does the study of genetics involve?

  Understanding biological properties transmitted from parents to offspring
• What aspects of genes does genetics study?

  Genes, their molecular nature, and their transmission across generations
• How does genetics relate to biological processes?

  It helps understand how genes control all biological processes
• What are the two main categories of genetics?

  Classic genetics and modern genetics
• What distinguishes classic genetics from modern genetics?

  Classic genetics involves studies before the Central Dogma, while modern genetics focuses on molecular genetics
• What is the time frame for classic genetics?

  From Mendel to the Central Dogma of Genetics (1866-1941)
• What was Mendel's significant contribution to genetics?


  His work on the inheritance of traits in pea plants
• What is the symbol of classic genetics?

  Mendel’s Garden Pea, Pisum sativum
• What is the time frame for modern genetics?

  From the Central Dogma of Genetics (1941 to present)
• Who proposed the one gene-one polypeptide hypothesis?

  Beadle and Tatum
• What does molecular genetics study?

  The molecular structure and function of genes
• What is the genetic material in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes?

  DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)
• What are the four bases found in DNA?

  A (adenine), G (guanine), C (cytosine), and T (thymine)
• What is the structure of DNA?

  Two chains forming a double helix made of nucleotides
• How does RNA differ from DNA?

  RNA has uracil (U) instead of thymine (T)
• What determines genetic information in DNA?

  The sequence of bases
• What are genes?

  Specific sequences of nucleotides that pass traits from parents to offspring
• How is genetic material organized in cells?

  Into chromosomes
• How many chromosomes do prokaryotes generally have?

  One circular chromosome
• How do eukaryotic chromosomes differ from prokaryotic chromosomes?

  Eukaryotes generally have linear chromosomes in their nuclei

  
• What is the term for the complete genetic makeup of an organism?

  Genotype
• What is the observable expression of the genotype called?

  Phenotype
• What is Mendel's first law of segregation?

  The factors (alleles) segregate independently into gametes during meiosis
• What is Mendel's second law of independent assortment?

  The two factors controlling one trait segregate independently from those controlling another trait
• What is gene expression?

  The process by which a gene produces its product
• What does the Beadle and Tatum hypothesis state?

  One-gene-one-polypeptide explains how gene expression is accomplished

  
• What are the two main processes involved in gene expression?

  Transcription and translation
• What is the central dogma of genetics?

  The flow of genetic information from DNA to mRNA to protein
• What are the evolutionary processes that result in differences between organisms?

  Mutations, recombination, and selection
• What is the study of heredity in large groups of individuals called?


  Population genetics
• What does quantitative genetics study?

  The heredity of a trait codified by many genes simultaneously
• What is basic research in genetics?

  Research done to gain an understanding of fundamental phenomena
• What is applied research in genetics?

  Experiments done with the idea of solving a specific problem
• What are some classic techniques used in genetic research?

  Breeding techniques such as crosses, backcrosses, and testcrossing
• What are some molecular techniques used in genetic research?

  DNA sequencing, PCR, and cloning
• What is the role of genetic model organisms in research?

  They are used to study genetic principles and processes
• What is the purpose of constructing genetic maps?

  To understand the arrangement of genes on chromosomes
• What are genetic databases used for?

  To store and analyze genetic information