Genetics chapter 1

Molecular level

Transcription and translation produce proteins

Cellular level

proteins function within structures of the cell

Organism level

Traits seen at the organism level arise from molecular and cellular properties

Population level

The population level examines how genetic traits are distributed and change within groups of organisms over time, influenced by factors like natural selection and gene flow.

Gene mutations

-heritable changes in gene sequence

-can alter the expression of the function of a protein

Model organisms

species where tools are available to study genetics

Heredity

the tendency of offspring to resemble their parents

Variation

the tendency of offspring to vary from their parents

Gene

A segment of DNA that has the information to produce a functional protein

Trait

any characteristic an organism displays

Morphological traits

affect the appearance of the organism

Physiological traits

Affect the function of the organism

Behavioral traits

Affect the ways an organism responds to the environment

Chromosomes

The DNA in living cells is contained within these

Homologs

the two copies of each chromosomes

Gametes

-sperm and egg cells are called this

-haploid

Chromatid

refers to one of the two identical copies of that gene

Codon

A 3-base sequence

Transcription

genetic information in DNA is copies into a nucleotide sequence of RNA

Translation

nucleotide sequence in RNA provides the information to produce the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide

Many individuals with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes. This is an example of genetic variation arising from

alteration of chromosome number

Somatic cells

-diploid

-non reproductive

-body cells

Transmission genetics

examines inheritance patterns

Proteome

all the proteins that a cell or organism makes is called its