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- It's estimated there are 20,000-25,000 genes in the human genome
- Gregor Mendel is known as the Father of Genetics http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC...
- If you stretched out the DNA in just one of your cells, it would be about 2 yards long
- In 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick were the first to describe the double-helix structure of DNA
- Humans have 46 Chromosones, Fruit flies have 8, and Mice have 40
- Number of inherited diseases: About 6,000 http://science.jrank.org/pages/3596/Inhe...
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Genetics is the science/study of heredity and genes in living organisms. All living organisms store their genetic information in DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Viruses can either have DNA or RNA (ribonucleic acid) as their genetic material. This allows replication that preserves traits that maintain the essential characteristics of each species. The science of genetics allows the study of how inheritance occurs, how traits are linked with inheritance, the factors affecting inheritance, and how to manipulate organisms for obtaining desirable traits, such as cows that produce more milk or grain that produces more yield per acre. Modern theories explain how traits are passed down from parent to offspring. Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, was the first person to demonstrate heredity in experiments with peas. More about his work is given below. http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Genetics http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Gregor_Mendel.php
Information on this page includes a glossary of terms used in genetics, a fast facts section, relevant links, blogs and news. In the videos section you will find information on genetic engineering, the pioneering work that uses the new technology developed in molecular biology. Within the right sidebar, you will find a listing of five different types of inheritable diseases that occur in humans.
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Glossary
- Nucleotides: Organic molecules that make up DNA, RNA as well as many other complex compounds found in cells.
- DNA: A double-stranded chain of nucleic acid, also termed a polynucleotide, that stores encoded genetic information. The nucleotides present in DNA include (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) and they pair in the DNA chain, adenine to thymine and guanine to cytosine. http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~rwinning/genetics/
- RNA: A chain of nucleic acids composed of adenine, uracil, guanine and cytosine, pairing adenine to uracil and guanine to cytosine. RNA usually is found as a single strand, but in some cases, paired strands may occur. RNA serves several purposes in the cell, including serving as a template for protein synthesis and gene regulation. Three different types of RNA are a part of protein production: messenger RNA, ribosomal RNA and transfer RNA. http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~rwinning/genetics/
- Chromosome: A structure of DNA molecules. Several different chromosomes are found in eukaryotic cells, each organisms has a characteristic number of chromosomes.
- Gene: A small region of a genomic sequence that transmits information to RNA and is associated with a trait. In prokaryotes, such as bacteria these regions are contiguous, wheras in eukaryotes these regions have spaces in between that do not code for RNA, called introns. http://www.emunix.emich.edu/~rwinning/genetics/<ref>
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Gregor Mendel
Gregor Mendel was born in Austria in 1822, the son of a peasant farmer. He became an ordained Augustinian priest in 1847, but his talent in teaching and academics resulted in studies at the University of Vienna. He taught mathematics and biology and did research until 1868, when he became abbot of his monastery. His broad academic interests included plants, meteorology and theories of evolution. In his studies on the inherited characteristics of peas, which lasted seven years, he found that traits were found in progeny in certain numerical ratios.
From his work, he developed three laws. First, the genes of a plant may contain two different traits, but will not express both of those traits. Secondly, inherited characteristics are independent from another. This formed the basis for the concept of recessive and dominant genes. Lastly, inherited characteristics are determined by genes from each parent, which determines whether the observed trait is dominant or recessive.
Mendel's work provided the foundation for understanding genetics as we know it today. In some cases inheritance is not as simple as it is with peas, but his basic understanding of genetics were sound observations. Today we use knowledge of genetics to breed plants and animals, and even engineer microorganisms, for desirable traits. We have also discovered that many diseases can be inherited and are using advanced molecular genetics techniques to discover new ways to help people who have these diseases live healthier lives. http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/information/biography/klmno/mendel_gregor.html http://www.accessexcellence.org/RC/AB/BC/Gregor_Mendel.php
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Gregor Mendel, Father of Genetics
Gregor Mendel, Augustinian monk and priest, educator and researcher, 1822-1884.
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Genetics Questions
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How is it that two short parents can have a tall child? 1 AnswerIt is VERY possible that 2 short parents can have a tall child. It goes based on genetics, yes, but also, if you had a tall person somewhere in your Family or h... read more -
Is Bulimia Nervosa Genetic? 2 AnswersJust like most disorders it is thought to be a combination of environmental and some genetic/biological factors. Most people talk about and focus on the environ... read more -
If an sex, what would the baby look like? 1 AnswerThis is more like if the alligator ate the giraffe. But still potentially applicable, I think. http://www.amoonwalkrental.com/images/Moonwalks/alligator-giraff... read more -
Children of cousins are more liable to get genetic defects- is this true? 3 AnswersIt's not always the case that there will be defects. Here is a link to an article on this very issue. It is interesting because it talks about how America is th... read more
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On Twitter powered by Twitter
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Champion Bodybuilder will not tell if drugs and genetics are responsible for curing their hard gainer problem. http://bit.ly/4Yna4K
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Having so much fun watching tv tonight.. but I gotta start studying soon, BIG genetics lab midterm tomorrow >.<
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@jaseuro you too? it must be in our genetics...
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awake awake awake. and no genetics solutions manual. hmm what shall i do?
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@mcmuffinofdoom well....one is about to enter a PHD program in genetics, and the younger one is an art student and just got offered a job.
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Inheritied Diseases in Humans
- Autosomal dominant diseases: Chondroplasia (a form of dwarfism), neurofibromatosis, and Huntington disease
- Autosomal recessive diseases: Assickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, and phenylketonuria
- Sex-linked diseases: (XLR diseases) include hemophilia (types A and B) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Polygenic diseases: heart disease, diabetes, stroke, hypertension, cancer, and most forms of mental illness
- Chromosome abnormalities: Down syndrome, Turner syndrome http://science.jrank.org/pages/3596/Inherited-Disorders.html http://www.genome.gov/11508982#al-5
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