Intro to Genetics

Genetics

• biology of heredity and variation, deals with the way in which traits are passed on or transmitted to their offspring

• study of genes, genetic variation and heredity in living organisms

Breeding

concerned with the proper selection and use of traits of the parents to produce offspring with predictable and desirable traits for the improvement of animals

Genes

functional unit of inheritance consisting mostly of DNA

DNA

a complex molecule that forms the genetic code for all living things

Chromosomes

long strands of DNA and associated proteins present in the nucleus of every cell of an organism; comes in pairs, one from the dam, one from sire

Animal Breeding

branch of animal science that deals with the evaluation of the genetic value of livestock

Line

a group of animals descended from or related to a specific animal or source of genetic stock

Strain

a group of animals within a breed with traits that distinguish them from others in the breed

Alleles

different forms of a segment of DNA that can exist at a particular site of the chromosome

Locus

particular site of a gene in a chromosome

Phenotype

appearance of an organism; visible or measurable properties

Genotype

genetic factors responsible for creating the phenotype, underlying genetic constitution of a phenotype; combination of genes at a single locus or at a number of loci

Homozygous genotype

a one-locus genotype containing functionally identical genes

Heterozygous genotype

a one-locus genotype containing functionally different gene

Scientific Name

Equus caballus

Scientific Name

Bos indicius

Scientific Name

Bos taurus

Scientific Name

Bubalus bubalis

Scientific Name

Ovis aries

Scientific Name

Capra hircus

Scientific Name

Sus domesticus / Sus scrofa

Scientific Name

Gallus domesticus

Scientific Name

Meleagris gallopavo

Scientific Name

Anas boschas domestica

Scientific Name

Numida meleagris

Scientific Name

Pavo cristatus

Scientific Name

Phasianus colchius

Ostrich

Strutio camelus