- "Genetics is the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in organisms." - "Heredity is vital to organisms' evolution."
The study of genes and how they are passed down from generation to generation.
DNA: The basic building blocks of genetics. DNA is a molecule composed of nucleotides that contain genetic information about an organism.
Chromosomes: Structures within the nucleus of the cell that contain genes.
Genes: Units of inheritance that control traits in organisms.
Alleles: Different versions of a gene that exist within a population.
Mendelian Genetics: The study of how traits are passed down from parent to offspring.
Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism.
Phenotype: The observable characteristics of an organism.
Dominant and Recessive Traits: The way in which some traits are expressed over others.
Inheritance Patterns: The way in which traits are passed down from generation to generation.
Genetic Variation: The differences that exist between individuals within a population.
Adaptation: The process by which organisms change in response to environmental pressures.
Natural Selection: The mechanism by which evolution occurs.
Evolutionary Changes: The gradual changes that occur in populations over time.
Speciation: The process by which new species arise from existing species.
Phylogenetics: The study of the evolutionary relationships between different species.
Genetic Drift: The random fluctuations in the frequency of alleles within a population.
Gene Flow: The movement of genes between populations.
Molecular Genetics: The study of how DNA is organized and functions within cells.
Epigenetics: The study of how gene expression is regulated by environmental factors.
Genomics: The study of the structure, function, and evolution of genomes.
Genetic Drift: This term refers to random changes in the frequency of alleles (different versions of a gene) within a population. Genetic drift can lead to loss of genetic diversity and affect the genetic makeup of a population over time.
Natural Selection: This term refers to the process by which certain traits become more or less common in a population due to their impact on an individual's ability to survive and reproduce. It is the driving force behind the gradual change in populations over time and is responsible for the adaptation of species to their environment.
Mutation: This term refers to the spontaneous changes that occur in the DNA sequence of an organism's genome. Mutations can be beneficial, harmful or neutral and provide an important source of variation that can fuel evolution.
Gene Flow: This term refers to the transfer of genetic material from one population to another, typically through migration or interbreeding. Gene flow can redistribute genetic variation and reduce the differences between populations.
Artificial Selection: This term refers to the intentional breeding of plants or animals to select for specific traits. Artificial selection has been used by humans for thousands of years and has led to the domestication and improvement of many important food crops and livestock.
Sexual Selection: This term refers to the way in which certain traits increase an individual's chances of mating, and thus the likelihood of their genes being passed on to future generations. Sexual selection can lead to the evolution of elaborate physical characteristics or behaviors in species.
- "Gregor Mendel, a Moravian Augustinian friar working in the 19th century in Brno, was the first to study genetics scientifically." - "Mendel studied 'trait inheritance', patterns in the way traits are handed down from parents to offspring over time."
- "Organisms (pea plants) inherit traits by way of discrete 'units of inheritance'."
- "This term, still used today, is a somewhat ambiguous definition of what is referred to as a gene."
- "Trait inheritance and molecular inheritance mechanisms of genes are still primary principles of genetics in the 21st century."
- "Modern genetics has expanded to study the function and behavior of genes." - "Gene structure and function, variation, and distribution are studied within the context of the cell, the organism, and within the context of a population."
- "Genetics has given rise to a number of subfields, including molecular genetics, epigenetics, and population genetics."
- "Organisms studied within the broad field span the domains of life (archaea, bacteria, and eukarya)."
- "Genetic processes work in combination with an organism's environment and experiences to influence development and behavior, often referred to as nature versus nurture."
- "The intracellular or extracellular environment of a living cell or organism may increase or decrease gene transcription."
- "A classic example is two seeds of genetically identical corn, one placed in a temperate climate and one in an arid climate." - "The one in the arid climate only grows to half the height of the one in the temperate climate due to lack of water and nutrients in its environment."
- "Heredity is vital to organisms' evolution."
- "Trait inheritance and molecular inheritance mechanisms of genes are still primary principles of genetics in the 21st century."
- "Gene structure and function, variation, and distribution are studied within the context of the cell, the organism, and within the context of a population."
- "Genetics has given rise to a number of subfields, including population genetics."
- "Genetic processes work in combination with an organism's environment and experiences to influence development and behavior, often referred to as nature versus nurture."
- "The intracellular or extracellular environment of a living cell or organism may increase or decrease gene transcription."
- "A classic example is two seeds of genetically identical corn, one placed in a temperate climate and one in an arid climate." - "The one in the arid climate only grows to half the height of the one in the temperate climate due to lack of water and nutrients in its environment."
- "Genetics has given rise to a number of subfields, including molecular genetics, epigenetics, and population genetics."
- "Organisms studied within the broad field span the domains of life (archaea, bacteria, and eukarya)."