Introduction to

Genetics
Inheritance and Genetics
Biology 9th/10th grade
Mr. Benitez
 Lecture Objective

Learn the following material included in the Standards:

● DNA/Chromosomes impact on characteristics

○ Passing down to offspring
● Genetic Variation
○ Meiosis
○ Errors
○ Mutations
 What if we reproduced asexually?
● How would your family be?

● How would we all look?

● How would society be different?

● Would medicine be different?

● Are you glad this is not the

case?
 Discoveries

● 1859 Charles Darwin - Origin of Species

○ Natural selection
● 1866 Gregor Mendel - pea plant findings
○ Inheritance
● 1951-1953 James Watson and Francis
Crick study Rosalind Franklin’s work
○ Double-helix
● 2003 human genome project
○ First full sequence
 Genetic Material
● Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

○ Location: Nucleus

○ Occurrence: All our cells

○ Shape: Double Helix

○ Amount: 23 chromosome pairs

○ Base pairs

■ ATCG

○ DNA —> RNA —> Proteins

Transcription

● DNA —> RNA (Ribonucleic acid)

○ Template strand

○ RNA Polymerase

○ Nucleotide, one by one

○ Thymine —> Uracil

 Translation

● RNA —> Proteins

○ mRNA

○ Codon

○ Ribosome

○ tRNA

■ Anticodon

■ Amino Acid
Amino Acids
● 21

● Structure: carboxyl (COOH) with amine

(NH2) and a unique side chain (R).

● Multiple codons translate into a single

amino acid.

○ Start codon

○ Stop codon
 Let’s try some!
AUGAAUCGUGGUAGUACUUUUAAGUAA

AUGGUCCACCACUGCCUAGUUACUUAG

Now start with the DNA template strand.

TACCATGATTAGTCATGAGTGACGACT
Mistakes

● Missense (Single Nucleotide)

● Insertion

● Deletion

● Duplication

● DNA/RNA Polymerase

● Multiple codons for a single Amino Acid

● 99% fixed
 Mutations

● 1% errors, naturally

● Environmental Factors

● Cell Lysis (Apoptosis)

● Cancer
Genotype

● Actual genes present.

○ DNA that codes for something.

○ Allele

● Dominant

● Recessive

● Homozygous

● Heterzygous
 Phenotype
● Physical Trait

● Codominance

● Incomplete Dominance

● Multiple allele influence

Let's try something else!
● Hitchhiker’s Thumb (R)

● WIdow’s Peak (D)

● L/R interlocking finger (D)

● Attached earlobes (D)

● Tongue Rolling (D)

● PTC tasting (D)

● Darwin tubercle (D)

 Proteins

● Unique Structure

○ Protein folding

■ Endoplasmic Reticulum

■ Ribosomes

● Diverse
Protein Function

● Digestive enzymes

● Transport

● Structure

● Hormones

● Defense

● Contractile

● Storage
 Mitosis Review

● Cell division

● 2 identical daughter cells

○ No genetic variation

● Diploid

● Somatic Cells
Meiosis

● Similar to Meiosis except:

○ 4 daughter cells

○ Haploids

○ Only in germ cells

○ Genetic Variation
 Genetic Variation in Meiosis

● Random Assortment

● Chromosome Crossing

○ Chiasma

● Theoretical siblings

● Twins
 Takeaways

Discuss with your group and be prepared to speak on at least one of the following questions:

● Why is genetic variation good?

● What are some ways further study of Genetics can improve society?

● Should humans be genetically modified like our foods?

References
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/208-meiosis-inheritance-and-variation

https://www.technologynetworks.com/cell-science/articles/mitosis-vs-meiosis-312017

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology1/chapter/reading-function-of-proteins/

https://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/primer/mutationsanddisorders/mutationscausedisease

https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/dna-replication-and-causes-of-mutation-409/