Introduction to Genetics and Conservation Flashcards

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental subdivisions of genetics, the characteristics of model organisms, and the application of genetic techniques in wildlife conservation and monitoring.

Genetics

The study of heredity: how inherited variation is encoded, replicated, and expressed, and how it evolves over time.

Transmission genetics

A subdivision of genetics focusing on the basic principles of heredity and how traits are passed from one generation to the next, with a focus on the individual organism.

Molecular genetics

A subdivision of genetics focusing on the chemical nature of the gene and how genetic information is encoded, replicated, and expressed, with a focus on the gene and its structure, organization, and function.

Population genetics

A subdivision of genetics focusing on the genetic composition of populations and how that composition changes geographically and over time, with a focus on the group of genes found in a population.

Genome

A complete set of genetic instructions for any organism, consisting of either RNA or DNA, which is copied during the process of replication.

Model Genetic Organisms

Organisms with characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis, such as a short generation time and the ability to be reared in a laboratory environment.

Microsatellite markers

Small fragments of DNA used by scientists to identify unique individuals, derive minimum population numbers, and monitor population health.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)

Abundant genetic markers in the DNA that reflect genome-wide differences reliably and efficiently when using newer sequencing technologies.

Inbreeding

The result of small, isolated populations breeding with themselves, which leads to limited variation in their genes and high susceptibility to disease outbreaks.

Protein-coding sequence

The portion of DNA that encodes for proteins, representing approximately $0.3\%$ in the context of specific genomic data.

Common Ancestor

The shared origin from which all living organisms are thought to have evolved approximately $4 \text{ billion}$ years ago.