Genetics and DNA Replication

Genetics

• Genetics is the study of heredity and variations.
• Animal breeding applies genetic principles to improve animals.
• Gregor Mendel postulated genes carry traits.
• Genes exist in different forms called alleles.
• Alleles of different genes are inherited differently.
• James Watson and Francis Crick discovered DNA's double helix structure in 1953.
• A gene is the basic unit of heredity, made of DNA.
• DNA is the hereditary material in most living organisms.
• Structural genes produce biochemical products (hormones, enzymes).
• Regulatory genes control other genes' functions.
• Nucleotides are the building blocks of DNA:
  • Adenine
  • Thymine
  • Guanine
  • Cytosine
• Ribonucleic acid (RNA) translates DNA code.
• Proteins form structural components and cell architecture.

Replication

• DNA replication uses DNA polymerase to replicate the strands.
• Mutations occur during replication or environmentally.
• Environmental factors and errors in gene sequences can cause mutations.
• Some mutations (e.g. brown eyes) are not harmful.

Chromosomes

• Homologous chromosomes are similar in length, position, and centromere location.
• Heterologous chromosomes differ in type, size, or function.
• Locus/loci are the location of a gene on a chromosome.
• Homozygous genes are the same, while heterozygous genes contrast.
• Alleles are alternate versions of a gene.

Dominant vs. Recessive Alleles

• Dominant alleles mask the expression of recessive alleles.
• Recessive alleles are suppressed by dominant ones.
• Phenotype are visible characteristics.
• Genotype represents the genetic makeup.

Cell Division

• Autosomes relate to body cells, and they are diploid (two sets of chromosomes).
• Sex cells are haploid (one set).
• Mitosis and meiosis are cell division processes.

Gene Interactions

• Linear interaction occurs on corresponding genes on the same chromosome.
• Allelic interaction involves corresponding genes on homologous chromosomes.
• Epistatic interaction involves genes on heterologous chromosomes.
• Internal and external interactions involve interactions with hormones and the environment respectively.
• Allelic interaction is when alleles interact.
• Dominance interaction means alleles show dominance relations.
• Lack of dominance implies no dominance between alleles

Animal Breeding

• Breeding is applying animal genetic principles to improve animal performance.
• Genetic improvement in animals often targets production efficiency (quantity, quality).
• Breeding methods include tandem selection, selection index, crossbreeding.

Animal Health and Disease

• Animal health refers to normal physical and physiological function.
• Infectious diseases are caused by living organisms and can be contagious.
• Infectious diseases are diagnosed via anatomical, chemical, and physiological changes in animals.
• Non-infectious diseases aren't caused by living organisms but by other factors.

Causative Agents

• Bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasites, fungi cause various diseases in animals.

Slaughter Processes

• Fastings, relaxation, and proper handling pre-slaughter are critical.
• stunning, Sticking, scaling, removing organs, splitting, and chilling processes are used during animal slaughtering.
• Dressing percentage for different animals is defined.

Meat Processing and Products

• Different types of animal meat and processing techniques based on various qualities are listed.
• Wholesale cuts for Beef, Carabeef, and Pork are listed.

Milk Production and Processing

• Milk is a nearly perfect food.
• Various minerals and vitamins are present in milk.
• Pasteurization and homogenization procedures are outlined for milk.

Livestock Market

• Livestock markets facilitate animal buying and selling.
• Different agents are responsible at different points in the market to help in the sale of animals and products.
• Different processes and procedures related to the market are described.

Explore the fundamental concepts of genetics, including heredity, alleles, and the structure of DNA. This quiz covers key figures such as Gregor Mendel, James Watson, and Francis Crick, as well as processes like DNA replication and mutations. Test your knowledge on the building blocks of life and their roles in heredity and cellular function.