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Questions and Answers
What is an allele?
What is an allele?
How many alleles for each trait do organisms inherit from their parents?
How many alleles for each trait do organisms inherit from their parents?
What is defined as a portion of DNA that determines a trait?
What is defined as a portion of DNA that determines a trait?
What does a dominant allele represent?
What does a dominant allele represent?
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Which term describes the offspring of two parents with different traits?
Which term describes the offspring of two parents with different traits?
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What principle states that genes for different traits segregate independently from one another?
What principle states that genes for different traits segregate independently from one another?
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How are recessive alleles represented?
How are recessive alleles represented?
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What is the term for reproductive cells such as sperm and egg?
What is the term for reproductive cells such as sperm and egg?
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What is the primary focus of genetics?
What is the primary focus of genetics?
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Which of the following correctly describes a trait?
Which of the following correctly describes a trait?
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Which ancient philosopher suggested that 'humors' could be altered during a lifetime affecting offspring?
Which ancient philosopher suggested that 'humors' could be altered during a lifetime affecting offspring?
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What idea suggests that sex cells contain a complete miniature adult?
What idea suggests that sex cells contain a complete miniature adult?
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What is the etymology of the word 'genetics'?
What is the etymology of the word 'genetics'?
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What historical evidence relates to genetics in domesticated animals?
What historical evidence relates to genetics in domesticated animals?
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What does it mean when an organism is described as homozygous?
What does it mean when an organism is described as homozygous?
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In the context of genetics, what does the term 'heterozygous' indicate?
In the context of genetics, what does the term 'heterozygous' indicate?
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How many base pairs are there in each human cell?
How many base pairs are there in each human cell?
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Which nitrogen base always pairs with adenine (A)?
Which nitrogen base always pairs with adenine (A)?
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What is the process of combining a gene with others to create a new DNA molecule called?
What is the process of combining a gene with others to create a new DNA molecule called?
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What percentage of base pairs are the same across all humans?
What percentage of base pairs are the same across all humans?
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What is the estimated number of genes in the human genome?
What is the estimated number of genes in the human genome?
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Which hereditary concept did Mendel challenge with his research on pea plants?
Which hereditary concept did Mendel challenge with his research on pea plants?
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Which of the following best describes the DNA sequences that constitute the majority of the human genome?
Which of the following best describes the DNA sequences that constitute the majority of the human genome?
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What potential application of gene therapy is mentioned in the content?
What potential application of gene therapy is mentioned in the content?
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In what year was Gregor Johann Mendel born?
In what year was Gregor Johann Mendel born?
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Which component of the DNA structure is represented by the letters A, T, G, and C?
Which component of the DNA structure is represented by the letters A, T, G, and C?
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What issue could potentially arise from the use of gene doping among athletes?
What issue could potentially arise from the use of gene doping among athletes?
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How many base pairs differ among any two individuals?
How many base pairs differ among any two individuals?
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What is the significance of the Human Genome Project?
What is the significance of the Human Genome Project?
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Which gene was isolated and introduced into children with a specific condition using recombinant DNA?
Which gene was isolated and introduced into children with a specific condition using recombinant DNA?
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What was Gregor Mendel's primary research focus?
What was Gregor Mendel's primary research focus?
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At which university did Mendel study and learn the Scientific Method?
At which university did Mendel study and learn the Scientific Method?
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What is the primary focus of genetics as a branch of biology?
What is the primary focus of genetics as a branch of biology?
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Why did Mendel choose to study pea plants for his experiments?
Why did Mendel choose to study pea plants for his experiments?
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What was the significance of Mendel's publication in 1866?
What was the significance of Mendel's publication in 1866?
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What can be inferred about Mendel's attempts to repeat his work with other plants?
What can be inferred about Mendel's attempts to repeat his work with other plants?
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When were Mendel's work and principles rediscovered?
When were Mendel's work and principles rediscovered?
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Study Notes
Introduction to Genetics
- This is the study of heredity and variation of organisms.
- Similarities and differences between relatives are due to genes, which carry hereditary information.
- The process of making a protein begins with DNA which is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into a protein.
- Genes are found on chromosomes, which occur in pairs.
- New combinations of genes occur during reproduction via sperm and egg.
Alleles
- These are different forms of a gene.
- A gene can exist in multiple forms, or alleles.
- The form of each gene you acquire is determined by which alleles you inherit from your parents.
- Represented by letters, either uppercase (dominant) or lowercase (recessive).
- Each person inherits two alleles for each trait- one from mom and one from dad.
The Human Genome Project
- The human genome has 3.164 billion base pairs.
- Of these, only 25,000 are genes.
- Almost 99.9% of the base pairs are the same in all people.
- The remaining 0.1% account for the differences between individuals.
Gregor Johann Mendel
- Austrian monk, born in 1822.
- Studied Theology and was ordained a priest.
- Studied botany and learned the Scientific Method.
- He worked with pure lines of peas for eight years.
- His work was largely ignored until 1900, when 3 independent botanists rediscovered it.
Why Peas?
- Available in many varieties.
- Inexpensive.
- Short life cycle.
- Simple procedures.
- Easy to grow.
- Allowed for strict control over mating.
Mendel's Principles of Inheritance
- Mendel's Principles of Heredity:
- Principle of Segregation: Each individual has two alleles for each trait, and these alleles separate during gamete formation, with only one allele being passed on to each offspring.
- Principle of Independent Assortment: Alleles for different traits assort independently during gamete formation, meaning that the inheritance of one trait doesn't affect the inheritance of another.
- Principle of Dominance: One allele can mask the expression of another, or they can blend and share expression.
Homozygous and Heterozygous Alleles
- Homozygous: Both alleles of a gene are the same. (ex: WW, ww)
- Heterozygous: Alleles of a gene are different. (ex: Ww)
Genetic Engineering
- Recombinant DNA molecules can be created by combining genes from different organisms.
- These molecules can be inserted into other organisms, which is called genetic engineering.
Gene Therapy
- The treatment of diseases using genes or genetic material.
- It involves introducing a normal, functional gene into an individual to replace or correct a faulty gene.
What if athletes begin to use “gene doping”?
- This would be an unethical and potentially harmful practice.
- It would have the potential to ruin athletic competition as we know it
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of genetics, including the study of heredity, variation, and the Human Genome Project. This quiz covers key concepts such as genes, alleles, and how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring. Dive into the molecular biology behind protein synthesis and genetic inheritance.
