BIOL212 Study Guide: Genetics, Evolution, and Phylogeny

Flashcards covering lab techniques, genetic principles, taxonomy, population genetics, and evolutionary phylogeny based on the BIOL212 study guide.

What is an Alu gene?

A type of transposon ("jumping DNA") used to study genetic variation.

What are the three steps of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?

Denature (heat separates DNA), Anneal (primers bind), and Extend (DNA polymerase builds new strands).

How does gel electrophoresis separate DNA fragments?

It separates DNA by size; smaller fragments move farther in the gel.

What is the difference between homozygous and heterozygous alleles?

Homozygous means having the same alleles, while heterozygous means having different alleles.

What is the phenotypic ratio of a monohybrid cross?

$$3:1$$

What is the phenotypic ratio of a dihybrid cross?

$$9:3:3:1$$

What are Mendel’s Laws of inheritance?

The Law of Segregation and the Law of Independent Assortment.

How is the ABO blood type system inherited?

Alleles A and B are codominant, while allele O is recessive.

What are the probability rules for 'AND' and 'OR' scenarios in genetics?

Multiply probabilities for 'AND' scenarios and add them for 'OR' scenarios.

List the Linnaean system of classification from most broad to most specific.

Domain ightarrow Kingdom ightarrow Phylum ightarrow Class ightarrow Order ightarrow Family ightarrow Genus ightarrow Species.

Who co-discovered natural selection?

Alfred Russel Wallace

What is the Hardy-Weinberg equation?

$$p^2 + 2pq + q^2 = 1$$

What are the five conditions for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium?

No mutation, no migration, large population, random mating, and no selection.

What is the result of inbreeding on a population's genotype?

Inbreeding increases homozygosity.

Distinguish between intrasexual and intersexual selection.

Intrasexual selection involves competition, while intersexual selection involves mate choice.

What is the difference between allopatric and sympatric speciation?

Allopatric speciation occurs due to geographic separation, whereas sympatric speciation occurs in the same area through reproductive isolation.

Define monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic groups.

Monophyletic includes all descendants; paraphyletic is missing some descendants; polyphyletic groups unrelated organisms together.

What is the difference between a synapomorphy and a homoplasy?

A synapomorphy is a shared derived trait, while homoplasy is similarity not due to shared ancestry.

What is the principle of parsimony in phylogeny?

It is the rule that the simplest explanation is preferred.

What are Darwin’s 4 postulates?

Variation, Heritability, Non random, Survival and Reproduction