BIOL 207 Lecture 1 - Overview and General Concepts (Terms)

Genetics

A tool that uses manipulation of genes/genomes to study how genes function in fundamental biological processes

Gene

A typically continuous stretch of DNA or RNA that contains information encoding a gene product as well as carries genetic information

Gene Product

A product created as a result of an encoded gene

Segmented Genome

Nucleic acid strands divided into two or more separate pieces or molecules, rather than existing as a single continuous strand

Gene Activity

The strength of a gene’s ability to express itself via the formation of its gene product

Activator Protein

A protein found at the starting regulatory sequence of a gene that will recruit RNA polymerase to activate transcription

Repressor Protein

A protein found at the starting regulatory sequence of a gene that will prevent RNA polymerase from attaching, repressing transcription

Genomics

The study of cataloguing entire genomes

Transcriptomics

The quantification/cataloguing of all RNAs in a sample to study their transcription

Proteomics

The quantification/cataloguing of all proteins

Forward Genetics

The genetics methodology in which genes are identified because of their visible mutant phenotype in an organism and then mapped to the corresponding gene

Reverse Genetics

The genetics methodology in which the researcher decides which gene to be mutated in order to test its function

Preformationism

An ancient idea of inheritance stating that all genetic information of a human is “preformed” or contained within the sperm cell

Genotype

The genetic information with respect to a single gene or a group of genes, or the entire genetic information inherited by an organism

Phenotype

The form taken on by some character in a specific individual, be it due to genetic or environmental factors; or any detectable manifestation of a genotype

Extended Phenotype

Any gene-dependent, visible impacts of a behaviour, such as impact of an organism on a habitat

Reaction Norm

The flexibility of specific traits to manifest in a given individual, in response to different environmental factors

Gene Expression

The accessing of information stored in DNA via its transcription to mRNA, then subsequently into a protein

Genetic Variation

Genetic differences among individuals within a population, resulting in phenotypic differences

Morphs

A recurring form of a single population of species that contrasts the norm

Melanocyte

A type of specialized cell responsible for producing melanin

Melanosome

Specialized organelle structure within the melanocyte that creates the melanin in the cell

POMC Gene

A gene encoding multiple hormones that is important in the creation of the alpha MSH hormone, having a role in eumelanin production

Alpha-MSH

A systemically acting hormone peptide in all cells that stimulates the MC1R receptor, having a role in eumelanin production

MC1R Receptor

A protein receptor found in cells that is responsible for creating eumelanin

Eumelanin

The type of melanin that is dark-pigmented, found most commonly and created as a default in organisms

ASIP Gene (Agouti Locus)

A gene encoding the ASIP hormone, having a role in pheomelanin production

ASIP Hormone

A locally acting hormone that represses MC1R receptors, having a role in pheomelanin production

Pheomelanin

The type of melanin that is light-pigmented, created as a background protection pigment when eumelanin is not created

Mutation

A process that introduces a lasting change into the genetic material of a cell, including changes in the nucleotide sequence and chromosome alterations

Continuous Variation

A trait for which the phenotype changes gradually during the lifetime of the organism

Discontinuous Variation

A trait for which the phenotype trait falls into a distinct group that does not change within the lifetime of the organism

Polymorphism

A relatively frequent discontinuous variant in a population

Mutant

A rare discontinuous variant in a population

Homolog

Equivalent genes between different species

BRCA-1 Gene

A gene encoding a protein responsible for DNA repair, assisting in the prevention of cancer

Chromosome

DNA and its associated proteins that is the carrier of genes

Gene Locus

The specific location of a gene on a chromosome that is unchanging

G-Banding

Visible banding that results from Giemsa staining, used to test for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities