1. Introduction to Genetics
Benjamin A. Pierce
GENETICS
A Conceptual Approach
SIXTH EDITION
CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Genetics
© 2017 W. H. Freeman and Company

2. Albinism
1.1 Hopi bowl, early twentieth century. Albinism, a genetic condition, arises with high frequency among the Hopi people and occupies a special place in the Hopi culture.

3. Chapter 1: Introduction to Genetics
The importance of genetics
The history of genetics
The fundamental terms and principles of genetics

4. 1.1 Genetics Is Important to Individuals, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
Genes influence our lives.
Genes contribute to personality.
Genes are fundamental to who and what we are.

5. 1.1 Genetics Is Important to Individuals, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
Genes affect our susceptibility to many diseases and disorders.
1.2 Genes influence susceptibility to many diseases and disorders. (a) an X-ray of the hand of a person suffering from diastrophic dysplasia (bottom), a hereditary growth disorder that results in curved bones, short limbs, and hand deformities, compared with an X-ray of a normal hand (top). (b) Diastrophic dysplasia is due to a defect in the SLC26A2 gene on chromosome 5.

6. 1.1 Genetics Is Important to Individuals, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
Genes are important in agriculture.
1.3 In the Green Revolution, genetic techniques were used to develop new high-yielding strains of crops. (Left) Norman Borlaug, a leader in the development of new varieties of wheat that led to the Green Revolution. Borlaug was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in (right) Modern, high-yielding rice plant (left) and traditional rice plant (right).

7. 1.1 Genetics Is Important to Individuals, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
Genes are important in biotechnology and medicine.
1.4 Molecular genetics can be used in the biotech industry to produce or enhance products with commercial value.

8. 1.1 Genetics Is Important to Individuals, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
Genes are important in development.
INSERT FIG 1.5
1.5 The key to development lies in the regulation of gene expression. This early fruit-fly embryo illustrates the localized expression of the engrailed gene, which helps determine the development of body segments in the adult fly. [Steven Paddock.]

9. Genome
A genome is a complete set of genetic instructions for any organism.
Either RNA or DNA
Copied during process of replication

10. Genetics and Evolution
Coding system for genetic information is the same in all living organisms.
All organisms are thought to have evolved from a common ancestor around 4 billion years ago.

11. DNA in the Biosphere Tremendous amount of DNA in the biosphere
Scientists cataloging the diversity in the biosphere use DNA analysis.

12. Division of Genetics Transmission genetics Molecular genetics
Population genetics

13. 1. 6 Genetics can be divided into three major subdisciplines
1.6 Genetics can be divided into three major subdisciplines. [Top left: Juniors Bildarchiv/Alamy. Top right: Martin McCarthy/Getty Images. Bottom: Stuart Wilson/Science Source.]

14. Model Genetic Organisms
Model genetic organisms are organisms with characteristics that make them useful for genetic analysis.
Six have been the most intensively studied genetically.

15. Common Characteristics of Model Organisms
Short generation time
Production of numerous progeny
The ability to carry out controlled genetic crosses
The ability to be reared in a laboratory environment
The availability of numerous genetic variants
An accumulated body of knowledge about their
genetic systems 15

16. Figure 1.7 Model genetic organisms are species having features that make them useful for genetic analysis.

17. Figure 1.7 Model genetic organisms are species having features that make them useful for genetic analysis.

18. Figure 1.7 Model genetic organisms are species having features that make them useful for genetic analysis.

22. 1.8 The zebrafish, a model genetic organism, has been instrumental in helping to identify genes encoding pigmentation differences among humans. (a) Human ethnic groups differ in degree of skin pigmentation. (b) The zebrafish golden mutation is caused by a gene that controls the amount of melanin in melanosomes.

23. Concept Check 1
What are some of the implications of all organisms having similar genetic systems?
that all life forms are genetically related
that research findings on one organism’s gene function can often be applied to other organisms
that genes from one organism can often exist and thrive in another organism
all of the above

24. Concept Check 1
What are some of the implications of all organisms having similar genetic systems?
that all life forms are genetically related
that research findings on one organism’s gene function can often be applied to other organisms
that genes from one organism can often exist and thrive in another organism
all of the above

25. 1.2 Humans Have Been Using Genetics for Thousands of Years
10,000–12,000 years ago: domestication of plants and animals
Ancient Jewish writing: understanding of genetics of hemophilia
Ancient Greeks: theories of inheritance

26. 1.9 Genetic techniques were used in agriculture by ancient peoples.

27. 1.10 Pangenesis, an early concept of inheritance, compared with the modern germ-plasm theory.

28. The Rise of the Science of Genetics
Gregor Mendel: Principles of heredity
Schleiden and Schwann: Cell theory
Flemming: Chromosomes
Darwin: Evolution
Weismann: Germ-plasm theory
Sutton: Genes are located on chromosomes
Other modern geneticists

29. 1.13 The human genome was completely sequenced for the first time in This chromatograph represents the DNA sequences from a small portion of one human gene. [© Science Museum/Science & Society Picture Library—All rights reserved.]

30. 1.3 Fundamental Concepts in Genetics
Eukaryotic vs. prokaryotic
Genes are the fundamental unit of heredity.
Genes come in multiple forms called alleles.
Genes confer phenotypes.
Genetic information is carried in DNA and RNA.
Genes are located on chromosomes.

31. 1.3 Fundamental Concepts in Genetics (continued)
Chromosomes separate through mitosis and meiosis.
DNA to RNA to protein
Mutations can cause permanent changes.
Some traits are affected by multiple factors.
Evolution is genetic change.