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1 - Genetics The Science of Heredity and Variation

This document provides an overview of genetics as the science of heredity and variation. It discusses how genetics seeks to understand the physical and chemical basis of biological variation and the mechanisms that result in variation being transferred from parent to offspring. Key points include that genes determine inherited traits and are present in all organisms' cells, the history of genetics including figures like Mendel and discoveries like chromosomes, the various fields that genetics involves like human, medical, and microbial genetics, and methods used in genetic study like experimental breeding and pedigree analysis.

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640 views3 pages

1 - Genetics The Science of Heredity and Variation

This document provides an overview of genetics as the science of heredity and variation. It discusses how genetics seeks to understand the physical and chemical basis of biological variation and the mechanisms that result in variation being transferred from parent to offspring. Key points include that genes determine inherited traits and are present in all organisms' cells, the history of genetics including figures like Mendel and discoveries like chromosomes, the various fields that genetics involves like human, medical, and microbial genetics, and methods used in genetic study like experimental breeding and pedigree analysis.

Uploaded by

Ert Dasco
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Genetics

Genetics: The Science of Heredity and Variation

Introduction
Many similarities and differences in family traits have genetic bases. Sex determination,
the occurrence of sex intermediates, mental retardation, and even infant deformities or death may
have underlying genetic or cytological causes.

Outcomes:
1. Define genetics as a science
2. Narrate the significant events in the history of genetics.
3. Enumerate the scope, fields and applications of genetics
4. Discuss the methods of genetic study

Genetics

- The science that deals with heredity and variation.


o It seeks to understand
the physical and chemical basis of the biological variation,
the mechanisms that result in variation, and
the principles that govern their transfer from cell to cell, from parent to
offspring, and thus from generation to generation.
- Inherited traits are determined by tiny units called genes, which are present in the cells of
all organisms.
o Genes determine many physical traits as hair or eye color, height, form of
earlobes, and extra fingers or toes.
- The term genetic was coined by an Englishman Bateson in 1906, it was derived from
the word gen which means to generate, to become or to grow into something.
- Genetics is the core of the biological science, thus it involve biochemistry, physiology,
development, morphology, anatomy, evolution and ecology.

History of Genetics

Time Table
460 377 B.C. Believed that each part of the parents body gives off tiny particles
Hippocrates that travel to the gonads to produce an offspring.
384 322 B.C. Presented the same idea as Hippocrates provided it favoured a
Aristotle fluid rather than particles travel to the gonads.
1822 1884 Devised a precise mathematical pattern for the transmission of
Gregor Mendel hereditary units.
1733-1806 Observed that although hybrids between species may show
Kolreuter uniform appearance, their fertile offspring will usually produce
considerable diversity.
1900 Duplicated mendels experiment.
Carl Correns (Germany),
Erick von Tschermak
(Austria), Hugo de Vreis
(Holland)
1902 Bateson, Cuenot Provided the information indicating that Mendels principles also
and Johansen apply to animals.
1902 Indicated the association of the mendelian factors with the
Sutton chromosomes by pointing to the resemblances in behavior
between the two.
1930 Provided basis
G.W. Beadle, B.
Ephrussi, E. L. tatum,
JBS Haldane

The Scope of Genetics

The Scope of genetics consists of the following broad problems with which it deals.

Chapter 1
Genetics

1. The development of an individual and maintenance of his own unique inherent pattern in
dynamic interplay with the environment.
2. The ability of species to transfer their systems to the next generation for continued
existence.
3. Living organisms orderly variety of patterns and their changes with time on a zoological
scale constitute the accomplishment of organic evolution.
4. The control of plant and animal improvement through breeding.
5. The definition of similarities and differences in the patterns encountered within the
human species and of the degree of plasticity of these systems.

Field of Genetics

1. Human Genetics
Focused on the pattern of transmission of human traits.
2. Medical Genetics
Area of human genetics focusing on studies of genetic diseases.
3. Cytogenetics
Concerned with how genes are arranged on chromosomes.
4. Microbial Genetics
Genetic investigationson microbes such as bacteria, yeasts, viruses, certain
molds, certain algae and ce tain protozoans.
5. Biochemical Genetics
Investigations focused on the action of genes on the biochemical level.
6. Molecular Genetics
Studies on the molecular level of genes.
7. Population Genetics
Concentrates on the gene pool (gene pool is defined as the sum of all the genes of
a population).

Application of Genetics

Genetics is applied to benefit human beings. Information regarding the hereditary


mechanisms are powerful tools in the applied science that could affect mankind economically,
socially and politically.

1. Plant and animal improvement


Domesticating wild animals and plants
Improvement of food crops by selective breeding
Advances in meat production
Improve quantity and quality of food, fiber and shelter.
2. Medicine
Diseases and abnormalities that have genetic bases have been identified and
appropriate preventive measures are prescribed.
3. Genetic Counselling
Utilizing the knowledge of the inheritance of certain desirable or undesirable
characteristics as well as the ancestors of the prospective parents.
4. Legal applications
Through blood type analyses problems of disputed parentage are solve.
DNA used as evidence in solving crimes.
5. Genetic Engineering
Production of organisms that may eventually find use in food production,
medicine and energy production.
Production of organisms that would be destructive to almost all living
organisms.

Methods of Genetic Study

1. Experimental Breeding
One of the first methods of genetic investigation

Chapter 1
Genetics

Some organisms are much better united for use in experimental breeding than
others. Some of the qualities that make a species particularly suitable are the
following:
i. Short life cycle
ii. Large number of offspring
iii. Many variable inherited characteristics
iv. Raised conveniently and cheaply
2. Pedigree Analysis
Determine the type of ancestry.
Determine the method of transmission of traits.

Source:
1. Bio D: Geneics UPOU Module

Chapter 1

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