Genetics and Selective Breeding

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Myostatin gene in mammals?

To control muscle growth (correct)

To enhance fertility

To regulate DNA structure

To promote milk production

What is the term for the process of identifying differences in an animal's genetic make-up?

Line breeding

Genomic selection

Genotyping (correct)

Progeny testing

What is the purpose of performance testing and progeny testing in cattle breeding?

To identify the genetic potential of a particular bull (correct)

To develop a genetic profile for cattle

To select for desirable physical traits

To enhance the fertility of cattle

What is the term for the study of an animal's DNA?

Genomics Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the inheritance of two copies of a lethal gene?

The animal does not produce any offspring Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of genetic engineering in agricultural biotechnology?

To reduce crop damage from weeds, diseases, or insects Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the visible features of an animal?

Physical traits Signup and view all the answers

What is the genetic profile developed for bulls based on performance and progeny testing?

Genetic merit index Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using molecular markers in breeding?

To select plants or animals with desirable genes, even in the absence of a visible trait Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between transgenic and cisgenic species?

Transgenic species have been modified with genes from an organism of the same or closely related species, while cisgenic species have been modified with genes from any other species Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of genetic engineering inflowers?

To improve the color, smell, size, and other features of flowers Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of genomic editing?

To modify an organism's DNA at specific locations Signup and view all the answers

What is CRISPR/Cas9?

A technology that allows for specific changes to an organism's DNA Signup and view all the answers

What are some potential risks associated with genetic engineering?

Potential long-term impacts on the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is tissue culture?

Not mentioned in the content Signup and view all the answers

What is subgenic engineering?

Not mentioned in the content Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Genetics and DNA

DNA is the genetic code for living organisms and is used to identify animals with high genetic merit.
DNA structure is crucial for genetic improvement.

Genetic Improvement

Physical traits are visible features of an animal, such as the Aberdeen Angus being naturally polled.
The gene for the polled condition is dominant over the gene for the presence of horns.

Selective Breeding

Line breeding is a technique used in selective breeding.
Double muscling is an example of a physical trait, caused by a mutation in the myostatin gene that controls muscle growth.

Performance Testing and Progeny Testing

Performance testing and progeny testing are used to establish the genetic potential of a bull.
The results of progeny testing are used to develop a genetic profile for bulls.

Genotyping and Genomic Selection

Genomics is the study of an animal's DNA.
Genotyping is a technique used to identify differences in an animal's DNA.
Scientists have identified positions on the DNA of cattle, known as SNPs, that are related to important traits such as carcass weight, fertility, and milk yield.
Genotyping and genomic selection have several advantages, including:
- Increased accuracy in selection
- Increased speed in breeding programs
- Improved disease resistance
- Improved fertility
- Improved milk production

Natural Selection

Natural selection is the process by which populations of living organisms adapt and change.
The inheritance of two copies of a lethal gene is an example of natural selection.

Agricultural Biotechnology

Biotechnology has been used to develop solutions to various problems, including:
- Crop damage from weeds, diseases, or insects
- Improved productivity
- Increased food safety
Applications of biotechnology include:
- Genetic engineering
- Molecular markers
- Molecular diagnostics
- Tissue culture

Genetic Engineering

Genetic engineering involves the transfer of DNA to improve crops, animals, or microorganisms.
Transgenic species are any organism that has had part of the DNA of another species inserted into its own DNA.
Cisgenic describes an organism that has been modified with a gene from an organism of the same or closely related species.

Benefits and Risks of Genetic Engineering

Benefits of genetic engineering include:
- Increased crop yields
- Improved disease resistance
- Increased food safety
Risks of genetic engineering include:
- Potential long-term impacts on the environment and human health
- Unintended consequences of genetic modification

Genomic Editing

Genomic editing is the use of any technology that allows a change to an organism's DNA.
Genetic material can be added, removed, or altered at specific locations in the genome.
Genomic editing can be used to create new varieties in crops that are difficult to breed.
CRISPR/Cas9 is a genomic editing tool that allows for precise editing of DNA sequences.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of genetics, DNA structure, and how it relates to physical traits in animals. It also touches on selective breeding and line breeding techniques.