Unlocking Life's Code: A Comprehensive Guide to Molecular
Genetics and Heredity in BIOL 207.
Ultimate Exam Study Guide Latest Updated 2025/2026.
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Typical definition of Genetics - ansThe study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation
What is a gene? - ans•Basic unit of heredity
•Sequence of DNA that codes for a product (RNA or protein) and it's regulatory regions
•Located on chromosomes
What is an allele? - ansOne of two or more versions of a gene
What is a genome? - ans•The complete set of genetic material in a cell (including
mitochondrial, chloroplast, plasmid DNA)
•Includes genes as well as non-coding DNA regions
Genes vs Traits/phenotypes - ans•Genes are inherited
•Traits/phenotype are not directly inherited
•Traits/phenotype
•Observable characteristic
•Manifest as a result of the genes an individual carries, and the environment that influences
the expression of the genes
•Heritable trait - when a particular trait can be passed genetically
Central dogma - ansDNA -> RNA -> Protein
Since all organisms are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor this implies? -
ansthe coding system for genetic information is the same in all living organisms
ATCG
Model Genetic Organisms - ansOrganisms with characteristics that make them useful for
genetic analysis
-six have been the most intensively studied genetically
Six most intensively studied organisms - ansFruit fly, E. coli (bacterium), Nematode,
Arabidopsis thaliana, house mouse, bakers yeast
Common characteristics of model organisms - ans1. Short generation time
2. Production of numerous progeny
3. The ability to carry out controlled genetic crosses
4. The ability to be reared in a laboratory environment
5. The availability of numerous genetic variants
6. An accumulated body of knowledge about their genetic systems
How have model organisms advanced our knowledge of human genetics? - ansHelped
identified that certain alleles/genes are responsibly for certain phenotypes.
Example of early genetics - ansdomestication of plants and animals
Pangenesis - ans-each part of the body contains genetic information for that particular part
-specific particles called gemmules carry info from parts of the body to the reproductive
organs (via blood) then passed to the embryo at the moment of conception
Inheritance of Acquired Characteristics / Lamarckian Inheritance - ans-traits acquired in a
person's lifetime become incorporated onto the person's hereditary info and are passed onto
offspring
ex. those who develop musical abilities may pass it done to there children
Preformationism - ans-inside egg or sperm is a tiny version of an adult (homunculus)
-this little man simple enlarges in the course of development
-offspring is genetically solely of the mother or of the father
Blending inheritance - ans-each traits of offspring are a blend or mixture of parental traits
-suggested genetic material blends like colored traits
What led to the proposal of the Weismann : Germ-plasm theory - ans-tested the idea of
acquired inheritance of acquired traits by cutting of the tails of mice for 22 generations
