Biology 1A    Sept 17, 1998
Lecture 6 - Genetics

Page Contents :

• Reading Assignment
• Overview of Lecture
• Overview of Lab
• Lecture Outline
• Vocabulary
• Related Websites

Stern: Chapter 13

Overview of Lecture:

Genetics is the study of genes.
Gregor Mendel first studied genetics as a science.
Introduction to problems of inheritance.
Later research revealed the mechanism behind inheritance.

Overview of Lab:

(A bullet indicates a handout.)
• Mendelian Genetics Problems.

A. Reprise of DNA function & protein synthesis.
B. Transcription & Translation.
C. "One gene, one protein" concept.
D. Genetics includes inheritance, population genetics, gene function & control.
E. Why is genetics important?

1. Genetically engineered bacteria produce human insulin.
2. Selective breeding can improve crops for freshness or disease resistance.
3. Can provide understanding of genetic-related disease (hemophilia, sickle-cell anemia, diabetes) - fetal detection

A. Gregor Mendel (1822-1884)
1. Augustinian priest in Austria-Hungary (now Czech Republic)
2. 1856 began garden pea experiments
3. published in 1865, but no one noticed until 35 years later
4. considered "Father of Genetics"
B. Mendel was the first to bring an experimental and quantitative approach to genetics.
1. Prior to Mendel, selective breeding used to improve plants or animals (an art, not a science)
2. Mendel quantified data for first time
a. Made measurements
b. Counted offspring of each type, calculated ratios
c. Contrast with qualitative data
3. Mendel tried an experimental approach - Scientific Method
a. Manipulated his pea plants, made hybrids
b. Observed results
c. Formulated a model to explain the results
d. Made predictions based on his model
e. Tested those predictions
C. Mendelian Genetics - Laws of Inheritance
1. Inheritance - passing on to the next generation. Blending or discrete?
2. Law of Segregation : the two alleles for a character are packaged separately
3. Law of Independent Assortment : for each gene (pair of alleles), segregation into gametes is independent

A. Some terminology
B. Introduction to blood groups
C. Punnett Squares
D. Pedigrees

A. Identification of DNA and RNA
B. Thomas Hunt Morgan - work with Drosophila
C. Herman J. Muller - causes of mutation
D. Griffith - bacterial transformation
E. Barbara McClintock - genes are on the chromosomes
F. Watson and Crick - structure and replication of DNA
G. Gene sequencing

• The Human Genome Project at MCET
• Mutant Fruit Flies
• UCMP - DNA

• The Value of Genetic History (Activity)
• Virtual FlyLab (On-line Activity)