genetics notes
CHAPTER 1 REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. Genetics is the study of _________.
2. For each of the following genetic topics, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.
a.
Analysis of pedigrees to determine the probability of someone inheriting a trait.
b.
Study of the genetic history of people on a small island to determine why a genetic form of asthma is so prevalent on the island.
c.
The influence of nonrandom mating on the distribution of genotypes among a group of animals.
d.
Examination of the nucleotide sequences found at the ends of chromosomes.
e.
Mechanisms that ensure a high degree of accuracy during DNA replication.
f.
Study of how the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on sex chromosomes (sex-linked traits) differs from the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on non-sex chromosomes (autosomal traits)
3. What are some characteristics of model genetic organisms that make them useful for genetic studies?
4. Do you think humans should be considered a model genetic organism? Why or why not? (You should be able to present two arguments for and two arguments against.)
ANSWERS:
1. heredity
2.
a. transmission genetics
d. molecular genetics
b. population genetics
e. molecular genetics
c. population genetics
f. transmission genetics
3. Model genetic organisms have relatively short generation times, produce numerous progeny, are amenable to laboratory manipulations, and can be maintained and propagated inexpensively.
4. Arguments against considering humans as a model genetic organism:
Although human genetics has been intensively studied, humans should not be considered a model genetic organism because they lack the characteristics of model genetic organisms. Humans have a long time between generations, usually bear only one offspring per mating, and are expensive to maintain. Most importantly, humans are not amenable to laboratory manipulation; the ethical barriers to
1. Genetics is the study of _________.
2. For each of the following genetic topics, indicate whether it focuses on transmission genetics, molecular genetics, or population genetics.
a.
Analysis of pedigrees to determine the probability of someone inheriting a trait.
b.
Study of the genetic history of people on a small island to determine why a genetic form of asthma is so prevalent on the island.
c.
The influence of nonrandom mating on the distribution of genotypes among a group of animals.
d.
Examination of the nucleotide sequences found at the ends of chromosomes.
e.
Mechanisms that ensure a high degree of accuracy during DNA replication.
f.
Study of how the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on sex chromosomes (sex-linked traits) differs from the inheritance of traits encoded by genes on non-sex chromosomes (autosomal traits)
3. What are some characteristics of model genetic organisms that make them useful for genetic studies?
4. Do you think humans should be considered a model genetic organism? Why or why not? (You should be able to present two arguments for and two arguments against.)
ANSWERS:
1. heredity
2.
a. transmission genetics
d. molecular genetics
b. population genetics
e. molecular genetics
c. population genetics
f. transmission genetics
3. Model genetic organisms have relatively short generation times, produce numerous progeny, are amenable to laboratory manipulations, and can be maintained and propagated inexpensively.
4. Arguments against considering humans as a model genetic organism:
Although human genetics has been intensively studied, humans should not be considered a model genetic organism because they lack the characteristics of model genetic organisms. Humans have a long time between generations, usually bear only one offspring per mating, and are expensive to maintain. Most importantly, humans are not amenable to laboratory manipulation; the ethical barriers to