Bio genetics

Gregor Mendel

Gregor Mendel

An Austrian monk considered the father of genetics, known for his experiments on pea plants.

Self-pollinating

The process where pollen from a plant lands on the stigma of the same flower, leading to self-fertilization.

Hybrid

New types of plants formed by cross-fertilizing different varieties of the same species.

Monohybrid Cross

Crossing purebred plants that differ in only one characteristic, such as height, to study inheritance.

Law of Dominance

States that a dominant factor masks the recessive one in inheritance.

Law of Segregation

During gamete formation, paired factors segregate, and each gamete receives one factor.

Law of Independent Assortment

Different genes segregate randomly and independently during gamete formation.

Chromosomes

Threadlike structures in cell nuclei carrying genes; believed to carry hereditary information.

Gene

A small piece of DNA on a chromosome carrying information about a particular characteristic.

Allele

Different forms of the same gene found at the same position on homologous chromosomes.

Filial Generation

Offspring generation in a breeding experiment succeeding the parental mating.

Genome

An organism's complete set of DNA, including all genes.

Homozygous

Having identical alleles for a particular characteristic.

Heterozygous

Having different alleles for a particular characteristic.

Phenotype

Outward appearance of a characteristic influenced by genotype.

Genotype

Genetic representation of alleles in an organism.

Punnet Square

A diagram used to predict the genotypes of offspring in genetic crosses.

Heterosomes

Sex chromosomes determining the sex of offspring.

Colour Blindness

A visual defect caused by abnormality in retinal pigments, often carried on the X chromosome.

Polygenic Traits

Characteristics controlled by multiple genes at different loci, leading to a wide range of physical traits.

Height Regulation

Height in a population is controlled by multiple genes, resulting in a wide range of heights due to genetic variations.

Mutations

Changes in the DNA structure of a gene, leading to the formation of new alleles that alter the information transmitted to cells.

Chromosomal Mutations

DNA damage on chromosomes caused by factors like UV rays, X-rays, or radiation.

Point Mutations

Changes in a single pair of nucleotides in the DNA, including substitutions, deletions, or insertions.

Somatic Mutations

Changes occurring in somatic cells like kidney or skin cells, potentially leading to cancer if the mutation is transferred during cell division.

Germline Mutations

Mutations happening in eggs or sperm, passing the mutation to offspring in every cell.

Beneficial Mutations

Mutations that provide an advantage to an organism, contributing to genetic variation and evolution.

Harmful Mutations

Mutations causing diseases or death by disrupting essential functions in the body.

Autosomal Recessive Disorders

Genetic disorders like sickle-cell anemia and albinism inherited through autosomal chromosomes.

Genetic Counseling

Process involving family tree analysis and genetic screening to assess the risk of passing genetic diseases to offspring.

Gene Therapy

Medical treatment correcting genetic issues to prevent or treat diseases by altering the genetic makeup.

Biotechnology

Manipulation of genes to replace defective genes with healthy alleles or using DNA from other organisms to produce necessary substances.

Recombinant DNA

DNA formed by combining genes from different sources, like human insulin production in bacteria.

Antigens

Protein markers on cell surfaces used in vaccines to trigger immune responses, produced through genetic engineering in certain organisms.

CRISPR Cas9

Gene editing tool derived from bacteria, used for precise gene editing and preventing viral reproduction.

Genetic Modification

Permanently altering genes to target, remove, and repair mutated sections of DNA, as well as sterilizing disease-causing parasites.

Vectors

Tools used by geneticists to carry genes into the body, such as the adenovirus that causes the common cold.

Hybrid Vigour

Enhancement of biological qualities in hybrid offspring, showing the best qualities of the parents.

Artificial Selection

Process of changing characteristics of plants and animals by human intervention to achieve desired traits.

Polyploidy

Condition of having more than two sets of chromosomes, important in plant evolution and development of new species.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms containing genes from different species, achieved through genetic engineering.

Pharming

Research area involving turning animals into drug factories by inserting human genes into their fertilized eggs.

Pro-tato

Genetically modified potato with increased protein content developed by inserting Amaranth Albumin 1 gene.

GM Salmon

Atlantic salmon genetically engineered to grow larger sizes for improved food production.

Spider Silk

Strong and thin material used for artificial ligaments and sutures, produced by genetically engineered goats rich in spider silk.

Spider silk

A product used in making bullet-proof vests, artificial tendons, suture threads, and currently being researched for airbag production in cars.

Genetic engineering

The process of inserting human genes into bacteria to enable the bacteria to produce human-related substances.