Modern Genetics Beyond Mendel

Notes on the Web - Unit Five- Part 4

Modern Genetics

Bruce G. Stewart

General Objectives and Study Guide

Your objectives for these Notes on the Web and associated readings and exercises are:

To distinguish and give examples of patterns of inheritance that go beyond the basic patterns revealed by Mendel;
To define, explain, and give examples of multiple alleles, polygenic inheritance, linkage, sex-linked traits, epistatic genes, pleiotropic genes, incomplete dominance, and codominance;
To understand the cause and explain abnormalities in chromosome number and give a specific example of a syndrome caused by abnormal numbers;
To explain the meaning and value of genetic counseling and genetic therapy;
To name and explain methods of determining and identifying genetic risks in both preganancies and adults;
To name and explain methods of sampling fetal cells for karyotyping;
To defend parents' descisions to do fetal testing or not to do fetal testing considering risk rates for spontaneous abortion;
To know common terms and facts associated with the topic of modern genetics..

For General Biology (BIO 1114) Class only: Johnson and Losos (2008) Chapter 11 (in part) Start at Section 11.6 on page 194 through the end of the chapter.
For General Zoology (ZOO 1114) Class only: Hickman, et al. (2004) (to be assigned in class)

Introductory Note

This page includes a simple listing of some required terms and concepts to be cover in more detail in lecture, readings, and/or via threaded discussion on Internet.

Linkage

Know the definition of linkage and be able to related it to gene loci and homologous chromosomes.
Be able to recognize patterns of inheritance that would indicate linkage.

Co-dominance and Incomplete Dominance

Understand the concepts of co-dominance and incomplete dominance.
Be able to give examples and recognize examples of each.

Sex-linkage

Know the meaning of sex-linkage.
Be able to give examples and recognize examples of sex-linkage traits.

Multiple Alleles

Know the meaning of multiple alleles.
Know the inheritance pattern for the human ABO blood type traits.

Polygenic Inheritance

Know the meaning and cause of polygenic inheritance.
Be able to give examples and recognize examples of polygenic inheritance.

Epistatic Genes and Pleiotropic Genes

Know the meaning of these types of genes; you may have to go to the library or seek other resources to find this information.
Be able to give examples and recognize examples of each.

Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics was previously covered in conjunction with our study of the cell in Unit Four. I am simply pointing out to you that DNA structure and function, RNA structure and function, protein synthesis, and related topics are also in the realm of genetics. Understanding them is to understand the molecular basis of heredity, and this forms the foundation for understanding many other concepts in biology.

As with other topics, your textbooks have excellent presentations of the materials on complex patterns of inheritance, including generous excellent illustrations. Check the general objectives above to make sure that you have covered all of the topics in the textbook readings.

The "Self Test" and other questions will be helpful for general biology students, although many more detailed questions will be included in the lecture exam. Similarly, study questions in the zoology textbook will be helpful review for general zoology students, but again, they are not comprehensive.

As with all materials throughout the semester, you will have opportunities to ask questions or ask that any relevant material from your assignments be discussed in class and/or in threaded discussions on Internet.

Related Link

Genes and Human Disease - National Center for Biotechnology Information - I would suggest that you look up a genetic disease and note what causes that disease. How do DNA and proteins play a role in the disease? Also, note how many genetic diseases are now known!

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