Molecular Biology Principles and Practice Lecture Notes

This set of flashcards covers key concepts from the Molecular Biology Principles and Practice lecture notes, focusing on research, course structure, genetic principles, and the use of model organisms.

What is the primary focus of William Park's research?

Increasing the nutritional quality of rice.

What is the format of the course exams?

2 exams and a comprehensive final, each worth 100 points.

What must students do before attending office hours?

Schedule an appointment, preferably in the evenings via Zoom.

What are the course objectives for BICH/GENE 431?

To integrate understanding of molecular genetics and provide a platform for future learning.

What type of inheritance mechanism did Gregor Mendel study?

Simple individual traits in pea plants.

What defines a homozygous genotype?

Having identical alleles at a particular locus on homologous chromosomes.

In Mendel’s experiments, what is the expected phenotypic ratio of a cross between two heterozygotes?

3:1 ratio for dominant to recessive phenotypes.

What is epistasis in genetics?

Interactions between loci, where one gene's alleles influence the expression of another gene's alleles.

What effect does recombination have on genetic diversity?

Allows production of hybrid chromosomes, favoring the accumulation of beneficial alleles.

What is meant by the term 'pleiotropy'?

A situation where one gene affects multiple phenotypic traits.

What is the role of model organisms in genetics research?

They provide a simpler biological system to study complex processes relevant to health and disease.