Chapter 3: Genetics

Question 1

genetic sampling: pre 1960

Answer 1

breeding experiments only

Question 2

genetic sampling: 1960

Answer 2

• protein electrophoresis
• direct measure of genetic variation, but lethal sampling

Question 3

genetic sampling: 1980

Answer 3

PCR coupled with direct analysis of DNA allowed non-invasive sampling to occur

Question 4

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Answer 4

put isolated DNA in tubes with primers, nucleotides, and Taq polymerase

Question 5

each cycle of PCR

Answer 5

• PCR machine separates DNA strands (denature)
• then cools to anneal (bind) primers (DNA fragments)
• then heats a bit to attach nucleotides (extend)

Question 6

with PCR, DNA can be obtained non-invasively from:

Answer 6

• old samples
• museomics
• field samples of low quality &/or quantity

Question 7

non invasive techniques: old samples

Answer 7

• 120 million year old weevil
• 20,000 year old saber-toothed cat bones

Question 8

non invasive techniques: field samples

Answer 8

• feathers
• fish scales
• feces
• urine
• egg shells
• hairs
• sloughed skin
• eDNA

Question 9

gene

Answer 9

stretched of DNA along a chromosome that codes for a protein or regulates other genes

Question 10

locus

Answer 10

where a gene is on the chromosome

Question 11

allele

Answer 11

different form of a gene (varying in nucleotide sequences)

Question 12

genome

Answer 12

the complete set of genes in a cell/organism

Question 13

genotype

Answer 13

the identity of alleles at a locus (genetic makeup)

Question 14

phenotype

Answer 14

observable characteristics produced by genotype & environment

Question 15

heterozygosity

Answer 15

proportion of individuals in a population that are heterozygous at a locus

Question 16

polymorphism

Answer 16

> 1 allele at a locus across individuals

Question 17

after PCR, the next huge advance was:

Answer 17

high throughput sequencing (next generation sequencing)

Question 18

enable genomics

Answer 18

analysis of large numbers of loci across the genome and or sequencing of the entire genome

Question 19

The Human Genome Project (1990-2003)

Answer 19

generated the first full sequence of the human genome

Question 20

Earth Biogenome (2018-?)

Answer 20

sequence genome of all eukaryotic species within 10 years

Question 21

SNPs

Answer 21

single nucleotide polymorphism

Question 22

neutral variation

Answer 22

• non coding
• useful for cases where we want to known effects of genetic drift

Question 23

adaptive variation

Answer 23

• genes that influence fitness
• useful for understanding response to change
• most often multiple genes make up traits

Question 24

adaptive variation & functional genomics

Answer 24

help us understand current and future potential of species to adapt to environmental change