Lecture 2 Genetics Terms

Gel electrophoresis

A laboratory technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or protein molecules based on their size and electrical charge.

Southern blotting

A laboratory method used to detect specific DNA sequences in a sample.

Northern blotting

A laboratory technique used to study gene expression by detecting specific RNA molecules.

Western blotting

A laboratory technique used to detect and identify specific proteins within a sample.

Genomics

The study of an organism's entire genome, including the structure, function, and evolution of genes.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of the structure, function, and interactions of all proteins produced by an organism.

Transcriptomics

The study of the complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome under specific conditions.

Metabolomics

The systematic study of unique chemical footprints and small-molecule metabolites left behind by cellular processes.

Evolution

The change in the inherited characteristics of biological populations over successive generations.

Natural selection

The process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce.

Migration

The movement of genes between populations when individuals move from one population to another (gene flow).

Mutation

A permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome.

Random genetic drift

Random changes in allele frequencies within a population over time due to chance events.

Phylogenetic tree

A branching diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species based on similarities and differences.

Cladistics

A method of biological classification based on shared, derived characteristics from a common ancestor.

Clades

Groups of organisms consisting of a single common ancestor and all its lineal descendants.

Blending theory of heredity

An obsolete theory proposing that offspring inherit a smooth, intermediate blend of parental traits.

Pure-breeding strains

Organisms that consistently pass down specific phenotypic traits to offspring when self-fertilized or crossed with similar organisms.

Parental generation

The first set of parents crossed in a genetic experiment (P generation).

Second filial generation

The offspring resulting from interbreeding or self-fertilization of the first filial (F1) generation (F2 generation).

Replicate crosses

Repeating identical genetic crosses multiple times to ensure statistical accuracy and reliability of results.

Reciprocal crosses

A pair of crosses testing the role of parental sex on inheritance by swapping the phenotypes of the male and female parents.

Test crosses

Crosses between an individual displaying a dominant phenotype and a homozygous recessive individual to determine the dominant parent's genotype.

Dominant phenotype

An observable trait that appears when at least one dominant allele is present in the genotype.

Recessive phenotype

An observable trait that appears only when an organism carries two copies of the recessive allele.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a specific gene.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a specific gene.

Particulate inheritance

The model showing that traits are passed down through discrete, heritable units (genes) that retain their identities across generations.

Monohybrid cross

A genetic cross between two individuals looking at the inheritance of a single trait.

Punnett square

A grid diagram used to predict the possible genotypes and phenotypes of offspring from a genetic cross.

Law of segregation

Mendel's principle stating that two alleles for a gene separate during gamete formation, so each gamete carries only one allele.