Unit 1: GENETIC PROCESSES

Section 6.1

Incomplete dominance- a condition in which neither allele for a gene completely conceals the presence of the
other; it results in intermediate expression of a trait. It ends up with a mix of the two alleles.

Codominance- the condition in which both alleles for a trait are equally expressed in a heterozygote; both alleles
are dominant. ( we end up with an offspring with both alleles)

Heterozygous advantage- a survival benefit for individuals who inherit two different alleles for the same trait. It is
a situation in which heterozygous individuals have an advantage over both homozygous dominant and
homozygous recessive individuals
Continuous variation- a range of variation in one trait resulting from the activity of many genes
Polygenic trait- a trait that is controlled by more than one gene. a group of genes that contribute to the same trait
is called a polygene. each dominant allele contributes to the trait, while the recessive alleles do not contribute to
the trait.

The more dominant alleles a person has for skin colour, the darker their skin will be.

Section 6.2
Linked genes- genes that are on the same chromosome and that tend to be inherited together
Sex- linked trait- a trait controlled by genes on the X or the Y chromosome

Section 6.3
Bioinformatics- a field of study that deals with using computer technology to create and analyse large databases of
information
Genomics- the study of genomes and the complex interactions of genes that result in phenotypes
Genetic profile- the complete genotype of an individual, including various mutations

Task 2: Note Taking (6.3 – The Future of Genetic Research)

1. Please read pages 260-266 in your textbook.

2. Make point form notes on the following topics:

The Human Genome Project

What is it?
It is a research project aimed at determining the chemical makeup of the human genetic code.

Why is it important?
This research project is important because it allows scientists to make comparisons between species and learn
even more about important features of genomes.

Overall, identifying the genome sequences of humans and many other organisms allows for a much more
comprehensive understanding of biological systems. This knowledge will have a wide range of applications in fields
such as human health, agriculture, and the environment.

What’s in our Genome? 

  Only about 2 percent of the nucleotides in the human genome make up our genes and code for all the
proteins in the body.
 The estimated 25 000 total number of genes is much less than scientists predicted. Previous estimates
were between 80 000 and 1 40 000.
 Over 50 percent of our DNA consists of stretches of repeating sequences.
 There is very little genetic variation within our species. About 99.9 percent of the DNA
sequence is almost exactly the same in all people.

The Development of Bioinformatic

What is it?
It is a branch of biology that deals with applying computer technology to create and maintain databases of
information that can be analyzed to better understand biological processes.

How does it work?

Today's bioinformatics exists because of simultaneous advances in three areas: techniques to sequence biological
molecules such as DNA and proteins, computer database software to sort and store massive amounts of genetic
information, and communication technology to share information around the world efficiently. Today, there are
many on-line genetics databases available that allow easy access to vast amounts of genetic information by all
members of the public-not just scientific researchers.

What is it’s importance?

It helps us to better understand biological processes and the life around us.

Genomics: The Study of Genomes

What is it?
Genomics is the study of genomes and how genes work together to control phenotype.

Why is it important?
This allows scientists to study the interactions among many genes and how they all contribute to a phenotype.
Linking Genetic Variation to Disease

Studying Gene Expression

Epigenetics:
 Is the study of how changes in the inheritance of certain traits or phenotypes are based on changes to
gene function and not to changes in DNA sequence.
 Epigenetics differs from evolution because there is no change to the DNA sequence of a gene and
epigenetic changes are not necessarily permanent.
 Epigenetic changes represent a response to an environmental condition that may be reversed once that
condition changes, or soon after the change.
 The term epigenome refers to cellular material that is not part of the genome but that influences whether
a gene is "turned on" or "turned off:' Identifying epigenetic factors is believed to be a next major frontier
in biological sciences.

Microarrays:
 A very important method that is used to study differences in gene activity is DNA microarray technology.
In this technique, DNA is placed as spots on a glass plate, called a microarray plate.
  One slide can contain thousands of spots of DNA that correspond to certain parts of a genome, and that
contain different genes. Using a microarray plate technique allows scientists to study the activity of up to
thousands of genes at a time, under conditions.
 Studying the activity of so many genes at once tells scientists which genes are active or inactive under
certain conditions and gives them information on how this activity is co-ordinated among different genes.

Genetic Information: Public Benefits and Concerns

 Some of the most important benefits of genetic research are in the area of human medicine.
 Studying the human genome may make it possible to develop drugs that are tailored to the expression of
the genes associated with disorders, and to the unique genome of a patient.
 In the future, researchers hope to use established links between genetic variation and risk of disease to
provide better medical advice to patients.
 If the cost of DNA sequencing continues to decrease, individuals may have access to their genetic profile-
their complete genotype, including all the various mutations linked to disease.
 Currently, doctors are only able to make generalized risk assessments based on medical history. Armed
with a genetic profile, however, genetic counsellors and doctors will be able to provide more specific risk
assessments, design individualized prevention plans, and design genetically precise treatment programs

Task 3: Textbook Questions

P. 267 #1, 10, 11, 12

1. it allowed scientists to make comparisons between species and learn even more about important features of
genomes. It also allows for a better comprehensive understanding of biological systems.

10. Epigenetics suggest that changes in inheritance od certain traits are caused by changes to the gene’s function
because there are no changes in the DNA sequence of a gene, and they are not permeant.

11. When using a microarray, DNA is placed as spots on a glass plate called a microarray plate. A slide can contain
thousands of spots of DNA that correspond to certain parts of a genome and contains different genes. Thid
technique allows scientists to study the activity of up to a thousand genes at a time. Scientists can tell which genes
are active and inactive under certain conditions. It also gives them information on how this information is
coordinated among different genes
12.

Benefits
 Provide more specific risk assessments,
design individualized prevention plans and
design genetically precise treatment
programs
Risks
 Insurance companies could deny coverage to
people who have a predisposition for a
particular disease
 Employers who have access to someone's
genetic profile may not want to hire them