Unit 1 - Intro to Genetics

Genetics

The scientific study of heredity

Bioetheics

The ethical study of genetics

Genomics

study of whole genomes, including genes and their functions

Proteomics

the study of sets of proteins and their properties

Somatic Cells

Any cells in the body other than reproductive cells

Germline Cells

eggs or sperm cells that carry genetic instructions to organisms of the next generation

Variation

Any difference between individuals of the same species.

Mutation

A change in a gene or chromosome.

Polymorphism

the individual differences of form among the members of a species

single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

One base-pair variation in the genome sequence

Mendelian

a trait completely determined by a single gene

multifactorial traits

traits that result from the interaction of one or more environmental factors and two or more genes

Polygenetic Traits

traits that are affected by more then one gene (eye color or skin color)

absolute risk

A person's chances of developing a disease or disorder independent of any risk that other people may have for that disease or disorder

relative risk

the likelihood that an individual could develop a trait based on the comparison to others in the same population

DNA

deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.

Genes

the biochemical units of heredity that make up the chromosomes; a segment of DNA capable of synthesizing a protein

Chromosome

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

Genome

the complete instructions for making an organism, consisting of all the genetic material in that organism's chromosomes

Individual

a single organism

family

in classification, group of organisms with similar genetic information

Population

A group of individuals that belong to the same species and live in the same area

Allele

Different forms of a gene

Genotype

An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.

Phenotype

An organism's physical appearance, or visible traits.

Dominant

Describes a trait that covers over, or dominates, another form of that trait. Only one copy needed in order to be expressed.

Recessive

trait of an organism that can be masked by the dominant form of a trait. Requires two copies of the gene in order to be expressed

Pedigree

A diagram that shows the occurrence of a genetic trait in several generations of a family.

Karyotype

A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape.

gene pool

Combined genetic information of all the members of a particular population

genetic determinism

the idea that genetic influence alone determines behavioral outcomes

risk factors

Actions or behaviors that represent a potential health threat