Bio+Anth+Week+2

Biological Anthropology

  • Instructors: Prof. Vanessa Terry, MS

Agenda

  1. Announcements

  2. Discuss Assignments

  3. Debrief of Chapter 1

  4. Introduce Chapter 2

Announcements

  • Launch of Peer Mentoring Support Program in February.

  • Free Nutrition on the Go! event for students with ID on 1st Tuesday of the month.

  • Limited laptops and hotspots available for borrowing.

Key Concepts

Importance of Anthropology

  • Study of humanity through culture.

  • Daily applications seen in:

    • Products like Gogurt and selfie cameras.

    • Access to medical technologies.

    • Cross-platform communications.

Chapter 2: Genetics

  • Text: "How Humans Evolved" by Robert Boyd, Joan B. Silk, Kevin E. Langergraber.

Chapter Outline

  • 2.1 Mendelian Genetics

  • 2.2 Cell Division and Chromosomes in Inheritance

  • 2.3 Molecular Genetics

Learning Objectives

  • Understand Mendel's experiments and logic of inheritance.

  • Relationship between Mendel's principles and cell replication.

  • Concept of linked genes and gene properties in inheritance.

  • Gene control over protein structure and organism properties.

  • Gene regulation across different body parts.

Mendelian Genetics

Overview

  • Gregor Mendel (1856-1863) discovered laws of inheritance through pea plant experiments.

  • Worked with traits: color (green/yellow) and texture (wrinkled/smooth).

Crossbreeding Experiments

  • Crossbreeding in F generations: genes from both parents.

  • Independent assortment principle.

Cell Division

Chromosomes and Inheritance

  • Rediscovery of Mendel’s work in early 1900s alongside discovery of chromosomes.

  • Mitosis: Diploid replication leading to diploid daughter cells.

  • Meiosis: Produces haploid gametes.

Chromosomes in Mendel's Results

Definitions

  • Gene: Basic unit, variations called alleles.

  • Homozygous: Same alleles; Heterozygous: Different alleles.

Genetics Terms

  • Genotype: Genetic makeup.

  • Phenotype: Observable traits.

  • Concepts of dominant and recessive alleles.

Punnett Square Applications

  • Predicts genetic variation in offspring.

Linkage and Recombination

  • Independent assortment and recombination mechanisms.

  • Crossing-over between linked genes.

Molecular Genetics

Structure of DNA

  • Deduced in 1953 by Watson, Crick, and Franklin.

  • Understanding of DNA structure informs knowledge of genetic functions.

DNA Functions

  • Codes for proteins and determines evolutionary events.

  • Codons: Three-base sequences that specify amino acids.

  • Role of mRNA and tRNA in protein synthesis.

Gene Regulation

Mechanisms

  • Differentiation mechanisms in cells via gene expression.

  • Examples: Neurons and eye formation in organisms.

Review & Clicker Questions

  • Questions focused on DNA, genetics, and Mendelian principles to enhance understanding.

Conclusion

  • Recap significance of Mendel's principles and application in genetics.

  • Encourage further exploration of genetics through Punnett squares.