Genetics: A Conceptual Approach
Letter from the Author
Preface
Albinism in the Hopis
1.1 Genetics Is Important to Us Individually, to Society, and to the Study of Biology
1.2 Humans Have Been Using Genetics for Thousands of Years
1.3 A Few Fundamental Concepts Are Important for the Start of Our Journey into Genetics
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Blind Men’s Riddle
2.1 Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells Differ in a Number of Genetic Characteristics
2.2 Cell Reproduction Requires the Copying of the Genetic Material, Separation of the Copies, and Cell Division
2.3 Sexual Reproduction Produces Genetic Variation Through the Process of Meiosis
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Genetics of Red Hair
3.1 Gregor Mendel Discovered the Basic Principles of Heredity
3.2 Monohybrid Crosses Reveal the Principle of Segregation and the Concept of Dominance
3.3 Dihybrid Crosses Reveal the Principle of Independent Assortment
3.4 Observed Ratios of Progeny May Deviate from Expected Ratios by Chance
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Strange Case of Platypus Sex
4.1 Sex Is Determined by a Number of Different Mechanisms
4.2 Sex-Linked Characteristics Are Determined by Genes on the Sex Chromosomes
4.3 Dosage Compensation Equalizes the Amount of Protein Produced by X-Linked and Autosomal Genes in Some Animals
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Odd Genetics of Left-Handed Snails
5.1 Additional Factors at a Single Locus Can Affect the Results of Genetic Crosses
5.2 Gene Interaction Takes Place When Genes at Multiple Loci Determine a Single Phenotype
5.3 Sex Influences the Inheritance and Expression of Genes in a Variety of Ways
5.4 Anticipation Is the Stronger or Earlier Expression of Traits in Succeeding Generations
5.5 The Expression of a Genotype May Be Affected by Environmental Effects
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Mystery of Missing Fingerprints
6.1 The Study of Genetics in Humans Is Constrained by Special Features of Human Biology and Culture
6.2 Geneticists Often Use Pedigrees to Study the Inheritance of Characteristics in Humans
6.3 Studying Twins and Adoptions Can Help Assess the Importance of Genes and Environment
6.4 Genetic Counseling and Genetic Testing Provide Information to Those Concerned about Genetic Diseases and Traits
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Linked Genes and Bald Heads
7.1 Linked Genes Do Not Assort Independently
7.2 Linked Genes Segregate Together While Crossing Over Produces Recombination Between Them
7.3 A Three-Point Testcross Can Be Used to Map Three Linked Genes
7.4 Physical-Mapping Methods Are Used to Determine the Physical Positions of Genes on Particular Chromosomes
7.5 Recombination Rates Exhibit Extensive Variation
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Building a Better Banana
8.1 Chromosome Mutations Include Rearrangements, Aneuploids, and Polyploids
8.2 Chromosome Rearrangements Alter Chromosome Structure
8.3 Aneuploidy Is an Increase or Decrease in the Number of Individual Chromosomes
8.4 Polyploidy Is the Presence of More Than Two Sets of Chromosomes
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Life in a Bacterial World
9.1 Genetic Analysis of Bacteria Requires Special Methods
9.2 Bacteria Exchange Genes Through Conjugation, Transformation, and Transduction
9.3 Viruses Are Simple, Replicating Systems Amenable to Genetic Analysis
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Arctic Treks and Ancient DNA
10.1 Genetic Material Possesses Several Key Characteristics
10.2 All Genetic Information Is Encoded in the Structure of DNA or RNA
10.3 DNA Consists of Two Complementary and Antiparallel Nucleotide Strands That Form a Double Helix
10.4 Special Structures Can Form in DNA and RNA
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Telomeres and Childhood Adversity
11.1 Large Amounts of DNA Are Packed into a Cell
11.2 Eukaryotic Chromosomes Possess Centromeres and Telomeres
11.3 Eukaryotic DNA Contains Several Classes of Sequence Variation
11.4 Organelle DNA Has Unique Characteristics
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Topoisomerase, Replication, and Cancer
12.1 Genetic Information Must Be Accurately Copied Every Time a Cell Divides
12.2 All DNA Replication Takes Place in a Semiconservative Manner
12.3 Bacterial Replication Requires a Large Number of Enzymes and Proteins
12.4 Eukaryotic DNA Replication Is Similar to Bacterial Replication but Differs in Several Aspects
12.5 Recombination Takes Place Through the Breakage, Alignment, and Repair of DNA Strands
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Death Cap Poisoning
13.1 RNA, Consisting of a Single Strand of Ribonucleotides, Participates in a Variety of Cellular Functions
13.2 Transcription Is the Synthesis of an RNA Molecule from a DNA Template
13.3 Bacterial Transcription Consists of Initiation, Elongation, and Termination
13.4 Eukaryotic Transcription Is Similar to Bacterial Transcription but Has Some Important Differences
13.5 Transcription in Archaea Is More Similar to Transcription in Eukaryotes Than to Transcription in Eubacteria
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
A Royal Disease
14.1 Many Genes Have Complex Structures
14.2 Messenger RNAs, Which Encode the Amino Acid Sequences of Proteins, Are Modified after Transcription in Eukaryotes
14.3 Transfer RNAs, Which Attach to Amino Acids, Are Modified after Transcription in Bacterial and Eukaryotic Cells
14.4 Ribosomal RNA, a Component of the Ribosome, Is Also Processed after Transcription
14.5 Small RNA Molecules Participate in a Variety of Functions
14.6 Long Noncoding RNAs Regulate Gene Expression
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Hutterites, Ribosomes, and Bowen–Conradi Syndrome
15.1 Many Genes Encode Proteins
15.2 The Genetic Code Determines How the Nucleotide Sequence Specifies the Amino Acid Sequence of a Protein
15.3 Amino Acids Are Assembled into a Protein Through Translation
15.4 Additional Properties of RNA and Ribosomes Affect Protein Synthesis
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Operons and the Noisy Cell
16.1 The Regulation of Gene Expression Is Critical for All Organisms
16.2 Operons Control Transcription in Bacterial Cells
16.3 Some Operons Regulate Transcription Through Attenuation, the Premature Termination of Transcription
16.4 RNA Molecules Control the Expression of Some Bacterial Genes
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Genetic Differences That Make Us Human
17.1 Eukaryotic Cells and Bacteria Have Many Features of Gene Regulation in Common, but They Differ in Several Important Ways
17.2 Changes in Chromatin Structure Affect the Expression of Genes
17.3 The Initiation of Transcription Is Regulated by Transcription Factors and Regulator Proteins
17.4 Some Genes Are Regulated by RNA Processing and Degradation
17.5 RNA Interference Is an Important Mechanism of Gene Regulation
17.6 Some Genes Are Regulated by Processes That Affect Translation or by Modifications of Proteins
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
A Fly Without A Heart
18.1 Mutations Are Inherited Alterations in the DNA Sequence
18.2 Mutations Are Potentially Caused by a Number of Different Factors
18.3 Mutations Are the Focus of Intense Study by Geneticists
18.4 Transposable Elements Cause Mutations
18.5 A Number of Pathways Repair Changes in DNA
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Helping the Blind to See
19.1 Techniques of Molecular Genetics Have Revolutionized Biology
19.2 Molecular Techniques Are Used to Isolate, Recombine, and Amplify Genes
19.3 Molecular Techniques Can Be Used to Find Genes of Interest
19.4 DNA Sequences Can Be Determined and Analyzed
19.5 Molecular Techniques Are Increasingly Used to Analyze Gene Function
19.6 Biotechnology Harnesses the Power of Molecular Genetics
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Decoding the Waggle Dance: The Genome of the Honeybee
20.1 Structural Genomics Determines the DNA Sequences of Entire Genomes
20.2 Functional Genomics Determines the Function of Genes by Using Genomic-Based Approaches
20.3 Comparative Genomics Studies How Genomes Evolve
20.4 Proteomics Analyzes the Complete Set of Proteins Found in a Cell
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
How Your Grandfather’s Diet Could Affect Your Health
21.1 What is Epigenetics?
21.2 Several Molecular Processes Lead to Epigenetic Changes
21.3 Epigenetic Processes Produce a Diverse Set of Effects
21.4 The Epigenome
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
The Origin of Spineless Sticklebacks
22.1 Development Takes Place Through Cell Determination
22.2 Pattern Formation in Drosophila Serves As a Model for the Genetic Control of Development
22.3 Genes Control the Development of Flowers in Plants
22.4 Programmed Cell Death Is an Integral Part of Development
22.5 The Study of Development Reveals Patterns and Processes of Evolution
22.6 The Development of Immunity Is Through Genetic Rearrangement
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Palladin and the Spread of Cancer
23.1 Cancer Is a Group of Diseases Characterized by Cell Proliferation
23.2 Mutations in a Number of Different Types of Genes Contribute to Cancer
23.3 Epigenetic Changes Are Often Associated with Cancer
23.4 Colorectal Cancer Arises Through the Sequential Mutation of a Number of Genes
23.5 Changes in Chromosome Number and Structure Are Often Associated with Cancer
23.6 Viruses Are Associated with Some Cancers
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Corn Oil and Quantitative Genetics
24.1 Quantitative Characteristics Vary Continuously and Many Are Influenced by Alleles at Multiple Loci
24.2 Statistical Methods Are Required for Analyzing Quantitative Characteristics
24.3 Heritability Is Used to Estimate the Proportion of Variation in a Trait That Is Genetic
24.4 Genetically Variable Traits Change in Response to Selection
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Genetic Rescue of Bighorn Sheep
25.1 Genotypic and Allelic Frequencies Are Used to Describe the Gene Pool of a Population
25.2 The Hardy–Weinberg Law Describes the Effect of Reproduction on Genotypic and Allelic Frequencies
25.3 Nonrandom Mating Affects the Genotypic Frequencies of a Population
25.4 Several Evolutionary Forces Potentially Cause Changes in Allelic Frequencies
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Taster Genes in Spitting Apes
26.1 Evolution Occurs Through Genetic Change Within Populations
26.2 Many Natural Populations Contain High Levels of Genetic Variation
26.3 New Species Arise Through the Evolution of Reproductive Isolation
26.4 The Evolutionary History of a Group of Organisms Can Be Reconstructed by Studying Changes in Homologous Characteristics
26.5 Patterns of Evolution Are Revealed by Molecular Changes
Concepts Summary
Important Terms
Answers to Concept Checks
Comprehension Questions
Application Questions and Problems
Challenge Questions
Reference Guide to Model Genetic Organisms
The Fruit Fly Drosophila melanogaster
The Bacterium Escherichia coli
The Nematode Worm Caenorhabditis elegans
The Plant Arabidopsis thaliana
The Mouse Mus musculus
The Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Glossary