Animal Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Lecture Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering fundamental concepts in animal breeding, molecular genetics, replication, transcription, translation, mutations, traits, inheritance patterns, and basic statistical measurements.

Animal breeding

The planned selection and mating of animals to improve traits in future generations.

Artificial selection

A process in which humans choose which animals reproduce based on desired traits.

Estimated breeding value (EBV)

An estimate of an animal's genetic merit for a trait.

Genomic selection

Using DNA marker information to predict genetic merit.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; the molecule that stores genetic information.

DNA base-pairing rules

A pairs with T; C pairs with G.

Chromosome

An organized structure of DNA and associated proteins containing genetic information.

Gene

A DNA region that contributes to a functional product, such as RNA or protein.

Semiconservative replication

A form of replication where each new DNA molecule contains one original strand and one newly synthesized strand.

Helicase

An enzyme that unwinds DNA and separates its two strands.

Topoisomerase

An enzyme that relieves twisting and tension ahead of the replication fork.

Primase

An enzyme that synthesizes short RNA primers for DNA replication.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA by adding complementary nucleotides.

DNA ligase

An enzyme that seals breaks in the DNA sugar-phosphate backbone.

Leading strand

The DNA strand synthesized continuously toward the replication fork.

Lagging strand

The DNA strand synthesized discontinuously in Okazaki fragments.

Stages of mitosis

Prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase (PMAT).

Metaphase

The stage of mitosis where chromosomes align at the middle of the cell.

Anaphase

The stage of mitosis where sister chromatids separate and move to opposite poles.

Substitution mutation

A mutation in which one nucleotide is replaced by another nucleotide.

Insertion mutation

A mutation where one or more nucleotides are added to a DNA sequence.

Deletion mutation

A mutation where one or more nucleotides are removed from a DNA sequence.

Frameshift mutation

A mutation where an insertion or deletion shifts the reading frame, usually when its length is not divisible by three.

Transcription

The process of making RNA from a DNA template.

RNA polymerase

The enzyme that carries out transcription.

Translation

The process of using mRNA instructions to build a protein.

mRNA

Messenger RNA; carries protein-coding instructions to the ribosome.

tRNA

Transfer RNA; brings amino acids to the ribosome and pairs its anticodon with an mRNA codon.

rRNA

Ribosomal RNA; forms the structural and catalytic core of ribosomes.

Promoter

A DNA region that helps recruit transcription machinery.

Enhancer

A DNA regulatory sequence that can increase transcription.

Intron

A transcribed region usually removed from pre-mRNA during splicing.

Exon

A region retained in mature RNA; some or all may be protein-coding.

Silent mutation

A codon change that does not change the encoded amino acid.

Missense mutation

A mutation that changes an encoded amino acid.

Nonsense mutation

A mutation that creates a premature stop codon.

Epigenetics

Regulation of gene activity without changing the underlying DNA sequence.

DNA methylation

Addition of methyl groups to DNA, often associated with reduced transcription at regulatory regions.

Histone modification

Chemical changes to histone proteins that can alter DNA accessibility.

Phenotype

An observable or measurable characteristic of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, often at specified loci.

Locus

A specific location in the genome.

Allele

A version of a DNA sequence at a particular locus.

Categorical trait

A trait recorded in distinct categories, such as presence or absence.

Continuous trait

A trait measured across a numerical range, such as body weight.

Accuracy

How close a measurement is to the true value.

Precision

How closely repeated measurements agree with one another.

Repeatability

The consistency of measurements or observations across repeated assessments.

Mean

The sum of all observations divided by the number of observations.

Median

The middle value after observations are sorted.

Range

A statistical measure calculated as maximum value minus minimum value.

Standard deviation

A statistical value that measures the spread of observations around the mean, in the original units.

Correlation

A statistical value that measures the strength and direction of a linear relationship between two variables.

Correlation of $+1$

Represents a perfect positive linear relationship.

Correlation of $-1$

Represents a perfect negative linear relationship.

Regression slope

The expected change in the predicted outcome for a one-unit increase in the predictor.

Qualitative trait

A trait expressed in distinct categories, often influenced by one or a few major genes.

Quantitative trait

A trait varying across a numerical range, often influenced by many genes and the environment.

Complete dominance

An inheritance condition where the heterozygote has the same phenotype as the dominant homozygote.

Incomplete dominance

An inheritance condition where the heterozygote has an intermediate phenotype.

Codominance

An inheritance pattern where both alleles are distinctly expressed in the heterozygote.

Epistasis

An interaction in which one locus affects the expression of another locus.

Additive genetic effect

An effect where an allele's effect contributes cumulatively to the phenotype.