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PHYSICAL
P. Nath
Human Evolution
Human Genetics
Human Development
Human Adaptation
Demography
Primates Biology
Applied Anthro.
Higher Publishers Organic Evolution
PHYSICAL
ANTHROPOLOGY
P.Nath
Ex-Head of the Zoology Department
Patna University,Patna
PUBUSHER
HIGHER PUBLISHERS
339, NEHRU NA6AR, PATNA - 800 013
PHONE NO - 0612-2260588
MOBILE-9431496518
wr-tr:"qr "sRi^ t
if m^t,
#T3k#ri
Patna P.Nath
14th June 2019
SthEOmON
13-09-2018
TlbEDmON
14-05-2018
6thEDmON
14-08-2017
Sth EDITION
01-10-2016
PREFACET0111£4'^EDrnON
This edition ofthe book is coming after comparatively short interval. Paucity of
time prevents me from undertaking any gross revision ofteh book which is promised in the
next edition.A few new chapters such as cultural evolution of man,gene-library etc have
been added in this edtion. 1 am overwhelmed by the interest readers have shown for this
book. I thank them all and invite their suggestions for improvement ofthis book.
In the meanwhile,I lost my father who was biggert influence in my life. The void
created cannot be filled up though lessened to some extent by arrival of my daughter-in-
laws Nistha and Suvidha in.my family.
PATNA P.NATH
17-02-2015(Shivratri)
PREFACETOTHE3*^EDrnON
This edition included either changes or replacement ofabout fifly pages to make the
course content update.In'the meanwhile,1 lost my mother and in lawsa few years ago.This loss
was compensated to some extent by new airi\‘als in family - Rinku. S^ta,Adi. SHaurya
Suiya,Naina& Vaiun.
I am thankful to my sons Rohan and Rohit search^ net for me and typed
manuscript I am also thankful to Giandan Guha.Patna Oflktter. Patna for printing this editioa
PATNA P.NATH
05-08-2011 (Rohan's birthday)
PREFACET0HIE2-> EDITION
I am thankful to teachers and students of anthropology who liked the
book and made first edition ofthe booka success.This has inspired me to go in for
a second edition.A whole new section on demography and many topics in applied
anthropology has been added. It will certainly help students to a great extent The
In addition,several topics in the area ofhuman ecology and human genetics have
either been trimmed in order to njake it more relevant'or expanded in order tojustify
their full implications. The book is now in the hands ofreaders tojudge.
There Have been new arrivals ofpersons in my family namely sisters-in-
law Puja,Shubhra and Aradhana; nieces Shristi,Anjali,Tanvi and Aishwarya and
nephews Adarsh and twins Luv-Kush.Th^ all have proved refreshing amid long
hours ofwork.Departure ofmy loving sister,Ira,and h^husband Sachida,however,
has been a setback.
I am thankful to my father,who happens to be the publisher ofthis book,
for having opted for a quick,second revision ofthis book.I am also thankful to Dr.
-S.P. Sinha v^o provided some materials on genetics.
I, finally, wish good luck to CS aspirants whose success in the subject,
and overall success, has been the main driving force for me.
PATNA P.NATH
17-09^2003
PREFACETOTHEl^EOrnON
Honestly speaking,it is beyond capability ofone individual tojustify the
diverse topics included in the subject. As a teacher of genetics, evolution and
human evolution for the last twenfy years at the graduate and postgraduate level,
I have realised the problems being faced by students. Syllabi of UPSC and some
Universities have been restructured this year and several current topics have been
included. Examinees were facing difficulties in preparing for the examination. 1
thought it proper to come obt with whatever material available with me.Examinees
ofthis year have been main concern hence there has been a very quick compilation
ofthe book. This is not an excuse for any error that may have crept due to r2q>id
proof-reading and printing and I, honestly,own all such mistakes. One should not
expect much sophistication in first aid-its timing is crucial.In many ways,one will
find this book more than the first aid.
1 must thank my parents, teacher Dr. A. Nath, Deptt pfZoology, Patna
University, Father-in-law Dr. S.P. tail, Deptt. of Botany, College of^nunerce,
Patna for their kind blessings and support.1 also sincerely thank my wife Shobha,
'brothers Prem,Om,Anant,Anand,Rajesh,Kamal,and sisters Meer^ Ira, Ranjana,
Rashmi,Rajat,Smriti,and sister-in-law Sunita,sons Rohan and Rohitdnd nephews
Rishi and Gungun for their material and moral support Anant Prakash, who has
successfully compq^ed in Allied Group *‘A*'Services with anthropology as one of
the optional, has spared time for proof-reading ofthis book.
PATNA P.NATH
1(M)8-1995
-iv-
CONTENTS
(A) HUMAN GENETICS 01-194
1. BranchesofHuman Genetics 1-20
2. Genetic Material ofman 21-32
3. GeneticPhenomena 33-38
4. Tools ofGenetic Stucfy 39-50
5. 'ihe Celland Cell-Division 51-51
6. Mendelism 52-63
64-66
7. StudyofAnthropogeneticVariations
67-68
8. Polygenes
9. MiiltipleAllele 69-72
10. Lethal Genes:Eugenics,Eui^icnics and Euthenics 73-76
11. Genetic Analysis ofMan(Chromosomalanalysis, 77-94
Foster-child,Co-twin method,Pedigree-Analysis,
BiodiemicalAnalyas,Rec(OTWnaiilDNAT5chnique)
12. Canmon genetic disorders ofmfen 95-97
13/ 'INvins 98 -108
14. Chromosomal Abnormalities 109-126
(Down’s S>T»dro!ae,Patau’s Syndrome,Edward’s
Syndrome,Cri-du-chat Syndrome,Klinefelter’s
Syndrome,Turner’s Syndrome,Mosaics,Hermaph
rodites and pseduohermaphrodites,Cliimaera)
15. Consanguineousmairiace(lnbreedingstudiesinlndia) 127-136
!6. GenomeImprinting 137-144
17. Gene-Therapy 145-154
18. Genetic Screening and Counselling 155-162
19. Genetic Load 163 -164
20. Genetic Laws&Ethics 165-174
21. Probablity and Statistics in Genetics 175 -181
22. Gene Mapping 182-187
23.Gene-Editing-CRISPR-Cas system,ZFN,TALEN 188 -192
24.Genomic Libriuy 193 -194
-V-
(B)ORGANIC EVOLUTION 195-290
1. Origin oflife 195-211
I 2. Evidencesofevolution 212-214
3. Lamarckism 215 - 223
4. Danvinism 224 - 233
5. Neo-Darwinism(Variation,Selection,Isolation) 234 - 248
6. Microevolution 249 - 252
7. Macroevolution 253 - 257
8. Hardy-Weinbeig law 258-263
9. Synthetictheoiy(ChangesinGene-fieqiiencyl^Drifl, 264 - 277
Migration,Inbreeding,Mutation and Selection)
10.Genetic Polymoiphism and selection. 278-287
11.Ecological nilesofEvoludon 288-290
(B) RACES 291-322
1. Race-Concept 291-294
3. BasesofRacia!Classification 295-312
3. Racism-A total myth 313 - 322
(Q HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 323- 405
1. Growth and Development-Concept 323-329
2. Prenatal Growth 330-331
3. Infimcyand childhood 332-334
4. Adolescence 335 - 341
5. Post-adolescence 342 - 342
6. Senescence 343-344
7. . Genetic connolofDevelopment 345-350
8. Biochemical factors ofgrowth 351 -357
9. Heredi^and environment 358-366
10. Socio-Economic and Cultural FactorsofGrowth 367-370
11. Abnormaldevelopment 371 - 376
12. Human physique and somatotypes 377-385
13. Senescence and ageing theories 386-397
13. Physiological variations(Hb-level,Blood-pressure, 398-405
Respiratory function etc.)
-vi-
406-507
(D)PRIMATES BIOLOGY
1. Classification ofPrimates 406 - 425
2. Evolution and radiation ofprimates . 426 - 440
3. Human skeleton 441 - 446
4. Evolution ofprimates hand 447-452
5. Evolutionofprimatcsfootandlocomotion, 453-460
6. EvolutionofprimatesJawand dentition 461-467
468-473
7. EvoludonofprimatesBrain
474 - 481
8. Apes and Man-Differences
9. MolecularEvolutioninPrimates 482 - 495
10. Multidisciplinaiya^jproachinstiufyoffossiltypes: 496-501
Endocaststudies and fossilDNA
11. The hominization process 502 - 507
508-541
(F) HUMANECOLOGY
1. AnIntroduction 508-510
511-513
2. Adaptation to high altitude
514-516
3. Adaptation to heat
517-519
4. Adaptation to cold
520 - 526
5. Adaptation to diet
6. Adaptation against diseases . 527 - 532
533 - 535
7. ImpactofAirpollutiononhumanhealth
536-537
8. Occupational diseases
9. Effects ofsmoking 538-541
542-592
(G) APPLIEDPHYSICALANTHROPOLOGY
542-547
1. Physical Anthropology and defence-designs
2. RecombinantDNA techniquesin medicine 548 - 552
3. Forensic anthropology 553 - 560
4. Parentage detennination 561 - 568
5. Personal identification 569 - 573
574 - 577
6. Sportsanthropometry
7. Nutrition,Malnutritionandassessmentofmalnutrition 578 - 587
8. Medical Anthropology 588-592
-VII-
(H> DEMOGRAPHY 593-627
1. Nature,Scope And Relationship )^5th Physical 593 - 604
Anthropology
2. Reproductive physiology ofhumans and control 605 - 610
offeitiUty
3: Biological theories ofpopulation 611-616
4. Factors(Causes)ofdifferential fertilily-(Biological, 617-620
Economic,Social)
5. Serogenetics and cytogeneticsofreproductive 621 - 627
■ function(Male system and Female system)
(E) HUMANEVOLUnON 628-770
1. Fossil and Geological time-scale, 628-631
2. Outline ofevolution ofhominids. 632 - 636
3. Proconsul-Ehyopithecus-Siv^ithecus 637-M5
4. Oreopithecus 646 - 648
5. Australopithecus-Paranthrapus 649 - 668
6. HomoHabilis 669-673
7. HomoErectus 674 - 684
8. Eariy or archaic sapiens 685 - 690
9. NeandertalMan 691 - 706
10. Modem Homo Sapiens 707-712
11. Differentrates ofsomatic evolution 713-718
12.Behavioural Modernity 719-724
13.Cultural Evolution ofMan 725 - 730
14.IndiaAsCradle-land ForHuman Evolution 731 - 731
15.Theory ofdistribution ofmodem humans 732-751
16.TheMRCA 752 - 757
17.Recentadvancesin hominid evolution 758 - 775
-VlII-
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
CHAPTER-01
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
Mendel is regarded as father ofgenetics because he discovered
“Laws ofInheritance'. It does not mean that study ofgenetics did not
exist prior to Mendel. 18th and 19th century geneticists were intrested
onlyin studying pedigree patterns,cousin marriages and nature and nurture
controversy.
Maupertuis bom in France in 1698,studied inheritance ofalbinism
and polydactyly in the eighteenth century. Otto’s account in 1803 of
haemophilia in a New Hampshire family was apparently the earliest clear
description ofthe clinical features and mode ofinheritaitce ofthis disease;
it wastransmitted by healthy carrier females to their sons but never by an
affected father to his son.This mode ofinheritance was also noted in the
case ofcolour blindness by John Dalton,an English Scientist. Joseph
Adams was,perhaps,the real founder ofhuman genetics.Aphysician by
profession,he published a book entitled “A Treatise on the Supposed
Hereditary Properties of Diseases” in 1814 in which he showed
considerable insightinto many ofthe principles ofmedical genetics. On
the basisofpedigree patterns,heclearly distinguished familial(recessive)
from hereditary(dominant)disorders; he emphasised the interaction
betw^n hereditary susceptibility and precipitating environmental factors.
One ofthe first scientists to become interested in the effects of
cousin marriages was Charles Darwin,who himselfmarried a first cousin.
The results ofhis plant breeding experiment led him to conclude that the
progeny ofcrosses between unrelated organisms(outbreeding)were more
vigorous than the progeny of crosses between related organisms
(inbreeding).By the end ofnineteenth century,human genetics was still in
its infancy.
Another aspect ofhuman genetics that had occupied the minds of
workers in the beginning of20th century was nature versus nurture
controversy.In man,the distinction between the effects ofnature and
nurture were made clearfor the first time in 1875 by Sir Francis Gallon,
uncle ofCharles Darwin.Galton argued that,since identical twins have
the same genetic constitution,any difference between them must be due
I
HUMAN GKNETICS
to environment. Galton was especially interested in the inheritance of
physique and special talents.
After ^discovery ofMendelism in 1900 much effort was made to
apply these findings to man.Unfortunately,manyofthe earlierinvestigators
oversimplified things.These early investigators notonly believed that many
human diseases were explicable in terms ofthe effects ofsingle genes but
that all disorders were due either to heredity orenvironment.Nevertheless,
inauguration ofhuman genetics can be said to have occurred with the
Garrod’s data ofinborn errors ofmetabolism in 1901. Human genetics
developed slowly in the first halfof20th century during which time
populational studies dominated. Human genetics has no facilities of
controlled breeding hence mostofthe human geneticistssatisfied themselves
with pedigree analysis. However,with the discoveryofnew instruments
to analyse sub cellular components,and,discovery ofthe genetic material
itselfin the later halfof20th century,we find an accelerated growth of
human genetics which has nowramified in diverse directions.Someofthe
important branches ofhuman genetics isasfollows:
1. Biochemical And Clinical Genetics
Alkaptonuria is a very rare condition in which affected persons
excrete dnrk-coloured urine.The disease is usually recognised in infancy
because the nappies are darkly stained and,in fact, washing with soap
tends to make these .stains even more intense. The dark colour is due to
the prc.scnce ofhomogentisic acid which is broken down in normal persons
and so does no* tppear in the urine.
Sir A.v.hibald Garrod,in 1901,presented a paper in which he
studied four families affected vrith the disease,the disease appearingin the
offspring ofcousin marriages mostofthe time.Bateson suggested to him
that Alkaptonuria was a recessive disorder hence appeared most often in
the offspring ofcousin marriages.Till 1900 genetics was studied in terms
of structural traits. It was for the first time that Garrod implicated a
biochemical substance in the action ofgene,designated by Garrod as
‘inborn error ofmetabolism”.
Tliis was the beginning ofbiochemical genetics and the idea that
genes control the s>mthesis ofenzjmes which,in turn,are responsible for
2
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
Table 1Characteristics and some inborn errors ofmetabolism
AR and AD(autosomal recessive and dominant)XR and XD=(X-linked
recessive and dominant)
Type ofdefect Genetics Deficienten^^e Main clinical
(Usual) of defect features
(A)Amino acid
Albinism AR tyrosinase lack ofskin and
hair pigment eye
defect
3
HUMAN GENETICS
Mucopolysaccharide
Hunter's syndrome AR iduronidase corneal clouding
SphingolipM
Niemann-Pick AR sphingomyelinase mental
disease retardation
Tay-Sachs disease AR hexosaminidase-A mental
retradation,
blindness
(E)Purine/pryimidine metabolism
Lesch-Nyhan XR hypoxanthine mental retardatipn,
disease phosphoribosyl uncontrolled
transferase movements, self-
mutilation .
(F)Porphyrias
Acute intermittent AD prophobilinogen abdominal pain,
porphyria deaminase CNS defects
(G)Miscellaneous
Cystic fibrosis AR a-1 antitrypsin enteric and lung
disease because of
thick mucus
canying outspecific biochemical processes. Beadle and Tatum provided
experimental evidence for these ideasfrom breeding experiments with the
bread mould Neurospora crassa for which they were awarded the Nobel
Prize for Medicine and Physiology in 1958.
Tlic modem eraofhuman biochemical genetics began in the 1940s
when the techniques ofpaper chromatography resulted in the discovery
and clarification ofa number ofinborn errors ofmetabolism associated
with the excretion ofabnormal quantities ofamino acids.These techniques
are still producing new discoveries ofadditional genetic diseases resulting
from blocks in the intermediary metabolism of amino acids and
carbohydrates.One example ofsuch inborn errors is phenylketonuria,
which is caused by the absence ofactivity ofthe enzyme pbenylalanihe
hydroxylase,and which results in mental retardation in the homoi^gote.
4
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
By.meansofa variety ofscreening programmes,afl^ted individuals fora
number ofthese defects can be discovered at birth,and,ifit is feasible,
receive special treatment to avoid the ill effects ofthe mutant gene.This
has been attempted and has been partially successful in the case ofseveral
inborn errors.The list ofnewly discovered inborn errors grows constantly,
(see table -1)In addition,a variety ofinformations have been gained on
many biochemical substancesfor example-
a. Haemoglobins:In 1949,Pauling and his co-workers estab
lished that sickle-cell haemoglobin had a different netcharge from normal
haemoglobin,and with this finding they coined the term “molecular dis-
ease This was also the first use ofthe technique which has become one
ofthe most productive in the study ofbiochemical genetics,that ofelec
trophoresis,orthe separation ofprotcins by differences in charge.In 1957,
Ingram was able to show that this difference in charge was due to the
substitution ofthe amino acid valine for glutamic acid at the sixth position
ofthe amino acid sequence ofthe beta chain ofhaemoglobin.He acliieved
this by breaking up the protein chains vrith enzymessuch as try'psin,sepa
rating t’ ^ oligopeptidesfrom each other by electrophoresis and cliroma-
tography,the latter method being dependent upon differences in solubility
rather than charges,and searching for a peptide which had changes in its
position.Once the altered peptide was located,it and its normal counter
partcould be extracted from the paper chromatograms and their amino
acid sequences determined.This technique has since resulted in the iden
tification ofover 100 different mutations occurring in the two chains of
adult haemoglobin(see genetic criteria ofraces),
b.Serum Proteins:The technique for the efficient detection of
polymorphic variantsofprotdnsand enzymes wasdiscovered in the 1950s
by Smithies and is called starch gel electrophoresis.The samplesto be
studied are inserted into a slab ofgel made by combining colloidal starch
with buffer;and anelectriccurrentisthensentthroughthe gel.Thistechnique
vrill notonly separate different proteins bytheir difference in charge,which
can be achieved in any electrophoretic medium such as paper,but will
also separate them according to their molecularsize.This is due to the fact
that die starch acts asa sieve,slowing down the movementofthe molecules
5
HUMAN GENETICS
proportionately to tfieir size. The technique results in the separation of
senim proteins into over 30majorcomponents.instead ofthe5 previously
detectable by paper electrophoresis.
Using this method.Smithies described t>\'0 polymorphisms for
common serum proteins. One ofthese is haptoglobin which serves the
function ofbinding haemoglobin abnonnally released from red cells.
The other protein initiallydiscovered to be polymorphic bySmithies
v/as the iron-binding protein ofserum,called transferrin.Since then,
there have been over20differenttransfeninsfound in differentindividuals
and their families.These,like haemoglobins,seem to differ from each
other by single amino acid substitutions.In his search for genetic variation
ofenemies demonstrable bystarch gel electrophoresis,fbrrisatthe Galton
Laboratory at University College in London discovered thatover halfof
the enzjmies screened showed such variation, with many of these
demonstrating marked poljmiorphism.Polymorphism here is defined as
the existence oftwo or more variants ofan enzyme,each occurring with a
gene frequency ofgreater than 1 percent.Although most ofthis variation
does notseem to affect thefunction ofthe enzymes,sometimes dieir activity
will be altered(inborn errors ofmetabolism),
c.Enzymes OfRBC:Among the polymorphicenzymesfound in
the red blood cells are essential for the survival ofthe cell due to their*
activity in carbohydrate metabolism.These include phosphoglucomutase,
which has been shown to be produced by three separate unlinked genes
each of which shows genetic variation, 6-phosphogluconate
dehydrogenase,and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase(G-6PD),the
lattercoded by extremely mutable gene on the X-chromosome.
The initial proofin man ofthe validity ofthe Lyon's hypothesis of
genetic inactivation ofone X infemale cells was demonstrated in cultured
skin fibroblasts derived from women heterozygousfor twoelectrophoretic
typesofG-6-PD.Extracts derived from clones ofcells grown from single
fibroblaste showed onlyone orthe other variantofthis enzyme.This means
that despite the presence oftwo x chromosomes canying different genes
for G-^-PD only one ofthese is expressed in any one cell and in all ofits
offering cells.Ciartler on this basis resolved the question oforigin ofcancer
6
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
A AA,AO Anti-B
B BB,BO Anii-A
AB AB Neither
0 00 Anti-Aandanti-B
In addition to ABO system, Landsteiner and Weiner in 1940
discovered Rh-system.In due course oftime, more than 200 public and
200 private blood groups have been discovered. Readers are referred to
chapter’’Multiple allele” fora detailed account on blood groups,
b. HLA System: Increased activity in the field of organ
transplantation initiated the accelerated study ofhuman histocompatibility
(antigenic similarity)antigens.Witliin few years the use oftechniques derived
7
HUMAN GliNETICS
from the study ofmouse histocompatibility genes made it apparent that
the major histocompatibility differences between people are the resultof
differences at one major locus. This is identical to the situation in other
mammals in which it has been studied. This locus,referred to as HLA
(Human Leucocyte Antigen),has many alleles,each responsible for the
production of several antigens. It is highly unlikely, because ofthis
» -mplexity,that anytwo unrelated individuals will be completely identical
r.; tliis locus. HLA genes are carried not only on leucocytes buton other
tissues also.It is apparentthat unrelated individuals would rarely,ifever,
be sufBciently compatible to accept graftsform each other withoutdanger
ofrejection.It would appear,however,that the greater the similarity at
this locus,the more likely it isthata transplanted organ will not be rejected.
In addition to the obvious practical application ofstudies ofHLA there is
a great unresolved theoretical problem. What is the purpose ofsuch
enormous individual variability at one locus dealing with antigenic
specificity? A variety ofexplanations has been offered. One ofthese
proposes that this variability is associated with very refined recognition
processes which may act in the form ofsurveillance within the body for
mutantcells displayingchangesin theirsuiftu:e antigens.Sincesuchchanges
are thought to be typical ofmalignant transformation,recognition and
elimination ofsuch altered cells may be a defense against neoplasia,
c. Variability Of Immunoglobulins: Immunogenetics is
concerned with variability ofthe recognition molecules themselves.The
serum proteinsknown asimmunoglobulins,gamma globulins,orantibodies
fall into 5 classes.These are IgD,igE,IgQ IgA and IgM.Each ofthese
consists oftwo pairs ofidentical chainscalled H(heavy)and L(light).The
heavy chain detenninesthe class ofimmunoglobulin.The light chains,of
which there are two types,called kappaand lambda,are made up ofover
200amino acids about halfofwhich are constant
Theotherhalfofeach lightchain varies fiom moleculeto molecule
to an almost unlimited extent,rmd this variability in part detennines the
antilxKly specificity ofthe molecule.Similarly,itappearsthatthree-quarters
ofthe heavy chain isconstanta^un with occasionalamino acid substitutions
due to genetic variation,and one-quarter about 110 amino acids long,is
8
BRANCniiS OF I lUMAN GENETICS
extremely variable.ITiisend ofthe chain,together with the variable end of
the light chain,makes up the specific antibody site which combines with a
specific antigen.
Accurate analv’sis oftlic sequence ofamino acids in these portions
ofimmunoglobulins has shown that there is a great deal ofhomology
between the variable and constant halvesofthe light chains indicating that
they emerged from a common ancestral gene.In addition,it appears that
the heavy chain is made up offour homologous copies ofthe same gene
originally coding for halfofthe light chain.There are several hundreds
genes from -which a few arc selected to form antibodies.This is the main
reason ofantibody diversity.
From this review ofcurrent problems in human genetics,itcan be
seen that the many new techniques developed in the field have already
produced numerous advances.The major conclusion form this progress
is thatthere is virtually unlimited genetic variability in man,certainlyenough
to assure each of us of being a unique individual, biochemically and
antigenically different fiom all others,except in the case ofidentical twins.
The majorproblem to be resolved now is how this enormous heterogeneity
has comqabout,how it is maintained,and what may be its function in our
survival as a species.
3. Developmental Genetics
The zygote,the fusion product ofsperm and ovum,undergoes
mitotic divisions and thus cell number increases.Initially all cells are alike,
called embiy'onic type(without specialised function).But later on such
embryonic cells become differentiated to perform specialized functions.
Developmental genetics is concerned with the processofdifferentiation of
cells.
There exists a relationship between DNA and proteins^thesized
in the cell because it is DNA that directs protein synthesisthrough mRNA.
It is protein that characterizes a cell. Hence,it is DNA which should
ultimately be held as the factorfor differentiation,
a.Totipotcncy And NuclearTransplantation:There is no loss
ofDNA as mitotic-divisions continue and there is ample proofthat DNA
contentofthe zygote is the same asthatoflater cells. Differentiation,thus.
9
HUMAN GENETICS
is not caused due to loss ofany DNA in any ofthe differentiated cells. All
celts have same DNA and equally capable ofcausing growth.
John Guidon’sexperimentsofnucleartransplantationsin the 1960s
clearly established that all cells ofbody are equally totipotentand capable
ofcausing growth dfa zygote.It was shown that ifnucleus ofa toad’s
^gote is destroyed and replaced by its skin cell,the skin cell’s nucleus is
capable ofcausing complete growth ofzygote.Theexperiment also proved
that cytoplasm is a potent force in development because it can make the
genes‘on’or‘ofiT.The genes on in the skin cells were different when the
nucleus ofskin cells was transplanted into zygote,the cytoplasm ofthe
^gote switched the prior active genesoffand another classofgenes‘on’.
Development,atthe genetic level,is thusconsidered an interaction between
cytoplasm and genes during which Certain genes are switched ‘on’ and
‘ofT(derepressed and repressed,respectively)
b House KeepingAnd Luxury Genes:From development point
ofview genes are divided into housekeeping and luxury classes-the former
concerned with elaboration ofthose substances that are essential for all
cells e.g. membrane proteins. Such genes are switched “on” in all the
● cells. Luxury genes are concerned with specialised function ofthe cell,
henceswitched‘on”differently in differentcell.There isa definitesequence
in which different genes are activated and this is largely a function of
induction that organises the embryo.
Once a cell is differentiated,it secretes certain substances,called
inducer for other cells to differentiate. The chemical nature of such
substances seem to be nucleo-proteinous.
Development,however,does not involve only differentiation of
cells. Region formation is an equally important aspect which is probably
brought about by homeotic genes. ●
c.Homoeotic Genes:From development point ofview,genes
can be grouped as:
a Highest order genes - that define axes
b. Middle order genes - that define segments
c.Lower Order genes - that give identity to segment.
10.
branchesof
^
human genetics ●
Homoeotic genes are lower order genes.In Drosophila^ where
they have been studied in most detail,they appear to specify the diversity
ofthe different’bodysegmentsand their expression can often be shown to
occur at a particular time ofdevelopment, in a defined region ofthe
developing organism.The homoeobox or Hox genes have been shown to
be closely related structure,in that the protein produced has a closely
conserved sequence ofapproximately 60 amino acids which has been
called the homoeobox domaiiL The Hox genesappear to code for proteins
involved in the regulation ofgene expressions astranscription ftictors and
almostcertainly act by binding particular DNA sequences.Itis interesting
thatthe homoeobox genes in certain species have been found to map to a
single chromosomal cluster and the order ofthe loci ofthe homoeotic
geneson thechromosome isthesameasthe orderofthe physical segments
in the animal concerned. Homoeotic sequences have been identified in
man andhave been shown to be expressed in spinal cord during embiybnic
development(Simeone et.al. 1986)but their role in development is not
yet clear.Doubtless this area ofresearch in the nextdecade will provide
the meansto begin to understand some ofthe genetic factors controlling
development.
« d. Developmental Anomalies In Humans: Human '
developmental genetics is concerned not only with unfolding the genetic
mystery ofnormal development but seek causes and explanation on its
background for any developmental anomaly witnessed in humans.Many
examplesare known,both in animalsand man,ofmutationsand teratogens
that interfere with the normal development.Teratogen is an agent that
causescongenital abnormalities.Mutations,particular during phenocritical
period,are likely to disrupt normal embiyogenesis because all the stages
thereafter become disorderly.
In man,teratogenic agents include radiation during pregnancy,
maternal infection with rubella,treatment during pregnancy with certain
drugs and substances.
The developmental genetics is inseparably linked with science of
embryology. Almostall experimentsin developmental geneticsis confined
to womb ofa mother in which embryo is developing. It is only with the
11
HUMAN GENETICS
help ofembryology that one can identify various tissue types,its structure
and relationship with other tissues. It is only through the embryonic tissue
that wecan identify whether gene isswitched“on ’or“off'. While studying
effect ofmutations and teratogenic agents,it is science ofembryology that
can tell us about the nature ofthe changes undergone during such effects
so thata plausibleexplanation can besoughtforfiom thescience ofgenetics.
4.Pharmacogenetics
Drugs can be used to reveal genetic variations oforganisms e.g.
certain bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics; certain insects are
resistant to the DDT and organophosphorus insecticides. Human beings,
too, reveal certain variations in response to certain drugs. The term
pharmacogenetics was introduced by Vogel in 1959 for the study of
genetically determined variationsthat are revealed solely by the effects of
drugs.
Once a drug is taken orally,it is broken down into fine particles
and absorbed in the gutfrom where it reaches blood stream.From blood,
it is distributed to most ofthe tissues and tissue fluid.A small part ofit
really reaches the target tissue and the rest is either excreted unchanged or
first metabolized then excreted.In due course,either directly or through
metabolism,all the drug is excreted out.The metabolism ofmany drugs
involves biochemical modifications,usually taking place in liver,during
which the drug is linked to pother molecule,
a.Understood Pathways:Persons vary in the waythey metabolize
the drug and this can be genetically determined. Biochemical steps of
many such metabolism is well worked outand understood.Forexample,
take the case ofisoniazid,an antitubeieulosis drug.The drug is metabolized
by the process ofacetylation which takes place in liver.Persons differ on
the basis ofrate ofinactivation, being rapid or stow inactivators.Take
another example.Succinylcholine is a muscle relaxant.Some persons are
found to be sensitive to therelaxant because ofan abnormal plasmaenzyme
called pseudocholinesterase.Similarly,persons vary in their reaction to
malaria]drug,Primaquine.Some develop haemolytic anaemia(anaemia
due to break down ofRBC)due to deficiency ofthe enzyme glucose6
12
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
pliosphate dehydrogenase in their RBC.You uill find a few facts about
tliis enz>TTie in biochemical genetics.
Thiopurine drugs are used in treatmentofcertain forms ofCancer.
About 0.3% ofpopulation are unable to properly metabolize the drug
hence develop seriousside effects.Thedeficiency seemsto be ofan enzyme
ofRBC,TMPT(thiopurine methyl transferase)which has genetic basis.
Debrisoquine,a drug used in treatment ofhypertension,is not
metabolized by 5-10% ofBritish subjects.Though initially the subjects
were* supposed to be homozygotes for a recessive gene, recent
observations have revealed at leastfourdifferent mutationsand thattoo in
introns thatresultin faulty mRNA splicings.
Organophosphates are widely used in agriculture and industry.
The enzyme that metabolizesthe substance is paiaoxonase,a product of
two allele polymorphic systems.Some can metabolize the drug faster than
others.
b.Unknown Pathways:Coumarin isan anticoagulantdrug which
is used in treatment ofmyocardial infarction to prevent the blood from
clotting. Some persons require 20 times the usual dose prescribed for
normal patients.In rats,ifhasbeen shown to be due to high levels ofvit K
'Which counteracts the drug.
Malignanthyperpyrexia is irarecomplicadonofanaesthesiaduring
whichmusclesremain rigid whili emperatuie runsas high as 108®F.The
condition seemsto be inherited as i tosomal dominanttrait.Patientsoften
have raised serum level ofcreatine inase and are sensitive to caffeine and
some otherchemicals.The real cause has not been ascertained,though it
seemsthat there is basic defectofreduced uptake and binding ofcalcium
ions to the sarcoplasmic reticulum q1 muscles.
Persons also differ in metabolism ofAlcohol.It is metabolized in
liver byenzymesADH and ALDH(alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde
dehydrogenase,respectively).The re is a typical allele,distributed more
commonly in oriental region,ofADH which rapidly forms acetaldehyde,
and resultsin unpleasantsymptoms.In Europeans, anormal alleleofADH
is more prevalent which slowly metabolize alcohol and hence it is not
unpleasant.
13
IIUMANGIfNETICS
This branch ofgcnetics is inseparably linked to pliarmacology.It
is in pharmacology that \ve study molecularstructure ofdrugsand their
target tissue and mechanism,ofaction ofthe drug.>\^en a drug does not
show a predicted mechanism ofaction.it becomes necessaiy to explain
the reasons. It is where pharmacogenetics steps in and analyses the
variations and its probable genetic reasons.
5.Population Genetics:
Evolutionaiy action takes place atthe level ofpopulation.This is
not to deny the fundamental underlying importance of molecular,
chromosomal,cellular or otganismal events.Population geneticsstresses
that evolution operates on groupsoforganisms noton individualsortheir
component parts.
In population genetics,individual genes have no meaning.Itis the
gene pool ofthe population that matters.The gene-pool consistsofall the
genes,in ail their allelic forms,in tl^reproductive gametesofthe peculation.
Changes in the gene pool will reflect changes in the population.The more
rapidly the gene pool shifts,the fasterthe population undergoeschange.
One cannot study the entire gene pool.Even ifone possessed the tool to
identify all ofthe genesofa gene pool the amountofwork would b^me
prohibitive and burdensome. Population genetics, thus, selects a
phenotypically measurable gene-markerand studies its frequency overa
period oftime. Gene frequency ofa given allele is a function ofpercent of
individuals in the population who have that gene and thus its value may
range from zero to 100 percent.Astable gene pool isonein which fiequency
ofan allele remains stable, whatever its value.
Population genetics,thus,considers frequency ofgenes in the
population and studieseffectsofvariousforcessuch as mutation,selection,
drift, migration, non random mating etc. that destabilizes the genetic
equilibrium and thuscausesevolution.Stability ofthe geneticequilibrium
means that population is experiencing no change.In such a population the
relative proportions ofthe different genoty^remain constant from one
generation to another.Tliis is known asthe Hardy-Weinbei^principle
which was putforward independently by an English mathematician,GR
Hardy,and a German physician. W.Weinberg,in 1908.It will be seen
14
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
that gene and genotype ftequenc>'remains the same ever}'generation if
Hardy-Weinbeig conditions exists.
Theoretical And Practical Values: Study and analysis ofgene
frequency and changes in them havesome theoretical and practical value.
1.They provide insight into mechanism ofevolution,and they
may often reveal evolutionary change in progress.It can reveal where the
population came from in tennsoftaxonomic relationships and where it is
going in terms of adaptive change. Studies of Gene-frequency of
populationsofmany islands have indirated the population ofthe mainland
itcamefrom along with its degree ofvariance.Population genetics,thus,
can reveal roots ofa population, besides estimating its evolutionary
progress.
2.Observablechangesin the frequencyofa gene tliatentail physical
handicaps is often useful for national agencies that are responsible for
anticipating future needs ofa society in terms ofhealth care,educational
programmes,man-power planning etc.
3. By applying rules ofpopulation genetics one can know the
statusofcarriers ofa disease,and by working out the degree ofinbreeding,
the probable percentage of persons affected with certain autosomal
recessive diseases. For example,infrequency ofalkaptonuria is known,
the status ofcarriers in the popula m can be calculated in this way.
AlkaptonuriaafFects about nechild in every 1000000.Therefore.
q2=l/ 000 000
therefor*. i = 1/1000
butp = 1 -q
therefore p“1 -1/1000
= I (api.rox)
The frequency ofcarriers=2pq
= 2.1.1'1000
= 1/500
Thisexamplealso illustratesanother important point,which isthat
mthegeneral population carriersare very much morecommonthan affected
individuals for any autosomal recessive disorder.Ifthe status ofcarriers
15
HUMAN GENETICS
becomes known national agencies can work out number of probable
sufferers in the future and the resources needed to meet such a situation.
4.Population genetics helps not only in discovering “roots’* ofa
population but also “routes'* ofa population.Study ofgene frequencies of
ABO system has provided valuable information regarding the routes of
migration ofpeople in the prehistoric times and has supported results
obtained form anthropological studies and comparative linguistics.
5.Tools and analyses ofpopulation genetics has aided in blasting
away myth ofracial superiority and thus has become important weapons
in ideological war against those who supportracism.No race can claim to
be genetically pure,it is the frequency variations ofdifferent alleles that
make populations appear different. All populations have deleterious
recessive genes hidden from natural selection in heterozygotes and it will
be earned so for a long time transgressing all the political divide.
6.Population genetics raisessome ethical questions too.Should a
haemophiliac transfused with artificially ^thesized factor VIII inoiderto
prolongits life span and reproductive time?People with individual concern
reply in‘Yes*. Would the answerremain same ifwell-being ofpopulation
is concerned?Possessorofsuch recessive deleterious gene will only add
to die genetic burden ofthe population in the long run.Population genetics
does not suggest a way out, though it nonetheless provides with the
.opportunity to calculate cost-benefit ofthe situation.
Methods OfStudy:The discovery ofthe Hardy Weinbeig law
resulted in study on frequencies ofgenetically determined variations.Data
on genotype,or phenotype,or gene-allele,or chromosome structure are
collected from field study or laboratory experiments on a population basis.
The observed number is compared with expected number and the
difference is tested for significance by the chi- square test. It answers the
question that whether something has or has not any effect on difference
between expected and observed frequency.
The population genetics,thus is concerned with describing the
genetic constitution ofthe population. When evolutionary differences
between populations become significant,a study ofchanges in the gene
frequency becomes study ofmicroevolution.
16
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
Population genetics embraces four fields - anthropological and
.cytological studies for the collection of datas, and mathematical and
statistical formulations for interpretation of these datas in order to
comprehend its significance.
6.Radiation-Genetics
Ionizing radiations include electromagnetic waves ofveiy short
wave lengths such as X-rays and gamma rays,and high-energy particles
such as alpha particles and neutrons.Natural sources ofionising radiation
include cosmic rays and external and internal radiation from naturally
occurring radioactive elements in the environment.Artificial sources of
radiation include those resulting from diagnostic radiological procedures,
radiotherapy,rc:iipational exposure and nuclear accidentsand explosions.
In 1927 H J Muller demonstrated that exposure ofcolonies of
Drosophila to X-rays resulted in an increase in the numberofmutations in
excess ofthose occurring spontaneously.He thusshoweu that X-rays are
mutagenic and for his work in the field ofradiation genetics he wasawarded
the Nobel prize in 1946.Further experimentson Drosophila haveshown
that ionising radiation may cause mutationsin both thesex cells and body
cells. Mutationsinduced in the body cells are termed somatic mutations.It
is with mutations in the sex cells that the geneticist is most concerned
because they can be transmitted to future progeny.
Effects OfRadiation
1.Somatic Effects: Those near the site ofatomic explosion in
Japan in 1945,many w^kill^immediately bythe blastand manysuffered
from the effects ofhaving received an enormous dose ofradiation.Some
died within 10 days,others were ill for several weeks.Those exposed,
lost their hair and their bone marrow activity was greatly reduced so that
the numberofcirculating leucot^es wasconsiderably diminished and their
resistance to infection wastherefore severely impaired.Among those who
recovered from the immediate effects,some ofthem later developed
leukaemia.
Thesomaticeffectsofa high dose ofradiation toalocalised volume
.oftissue are local tissue necrosis(radiation bum)and general malaise with
some nausea and vomiting(radiation sickness)
n
HUMAN GENETICS
2.Genetic Effects: Tlic genetic elTects ofradiation are not easy
to assess for they are not manifest in the generation which is exposed to
radiation butin subsequentgenerations.Ifadominant mutation is produced
then it will be manifest in the next generation but a rece^ive mutation is
only likely to be manifest when two heterozygotes many and have children.
Several lines ofexperiments have been devised to assess genetic effects
ofradiation which includes offspring of: persons exposed to radiation,
persons receivings pelvic radiotherapy,radiologists and nuclear power
.station workers.
Initially it was claimed that radiation affected x-chromosomes in
males,resulting in births ofmale children(XY).However,studies by Kato
(1975)has refuted the claim. Gardener et.al.(1990)have summarised
that though there is no such evidence at present,we will have to be careful
ifchildren ofsuch persons develop any genetic defect later on.It was also
recommended that such persons must not have more than maximum
permissible dose ofradiation.
The International Commission ofRadiological Protection(ICRP)
working in close liason with various agencies ofthe United Nations has
been mainly responsible for defining what isreferred to as the maximum'
permissible dose ofradiation.The commission has fixed 50 mSv/year,
though it varies from country to country,the lowest being ofthose fixed by
UK,15 mSv.To put this into perspective, 1 mSv is roughly50times the
dose received in a single chest X-ray.
The rad(radiation absorbed dose)is a measure ofthe amountof
anyioniring radiation which isactually absorbed byatissueand isequivalent
to 100ergs ofenergy per gram oftissue.A rem(Roentgen equivalent for
man)is a measure ofany radiation in terms ofX-rays and is that absorbed
dose which produces in a given tissue the same biological effect as one
rad ofX-rays.In SI units 100rem is equivalent to 1 sievert(Sv).
7. Ecogcnetics
Though the term is new;first given by Brewerin 1971,the concept
has been an old one.followed much ago in past,and developed in the
.second halfof20th Century by such workers as kettlewell,E.B.Ford,
Sheppard. Dobzhansk>’. Dowrieswiell etc wbo worlced mainly with animal
BRANCHES OF HUMAN GENETICS
SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
The term synthetic biology has been around for more than a
decade and is a mix of multiple facets of science. Synthetic
biology is an interdisciplinary branch ofbiology and engineering
that has included in its forum art and architecture.The subject
combines various fields of biology such as bio-technology,
evolutionary biology, molecular biology, bio-physics, genetic
engineering etc. Mr.Mukund Thattai from the National Centre
for Biological science(NCBS) Bengaluru, Julie Legault, from
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and working at Shristi
Institute of Art Design & Technology, Benguluru ,Mr. Yashas
Sketty from Bengaluru, Drew and Tom Knight, IGEM
(International Genetically Engineered Machine) are some of
the main driving force in the area of synthetic biology in
modem days.
In 2009, Mr. Shetty started experimenting with
synthetic biology and.created synthetic biology circuits where
biological parts of a cell are designed to perform functions
similar to electronic circuits. The new combine has
applications in various fields such as synthetic life, cell
transformations, synthetic genetic pathway, biosensors and
industrial enzymes, to name a few. In synthetic life, artificial
life is created invitro from biomolecules.In cell transformation
living cells are transformed by inserts of new DNA. In
synthetic genetic pathway,the precurabr of anti malarial dmg
artemisinin has been commercially produced by genetically-
engineered E,Coli and yeast. In biosensors, an engineered^
oi^nism(a bacterium)reports about presence of heavy metals
or toxins. Synthetic en:^mes have been created that aim to
improve,.detergents and lactose-free dairy products.
Zebra-fish Genetics .
It has been a long journey from Mendel's pea-plant
through Morgan's fruitfly, Mcclintock’s maizes Beadle and
Tatum's Ncurospora, Jacob and Monod's E,coli to the Zebra-
fish! Zebra-fish, Danio rerio is being increasingly utilised in
the study of developmental patterns of vertebrates; It is small,
beautiful, rapidly multiplying fish. It offers the option of
inducing]haploid development. Induction and recovery of
cmbr>'oflic lethal mutations has been easy with the Zebra fish
which so essential for the genetic analysis of the embryonic
development biology and we shall be learning about genetic
control of development through these tiny creatures.
20
GENETIC MATERIAL OF MAN
CHAPTER-2
GENETIC MATERIAL OF MAN
22
GENETIC MATERIAL OF MAN
to s>nthesizc another chain complementar>'to it. In the new chain free
nucleotides from the surrounding medium are properly assembled and
forni hydrogen bonds with matching nucleotides ofthe original chain.Thai
DNA replication occurs this way is indicated by two kindsofexperiments.
One of these methods is by the use of isotope-labelling, such as
phosphorus’-,by which it is possible to distinguish the mother DNA strand
from the daughter-strand.The second method involves the growing of
bacteria on a culture medium ofheavy nitrogen'*. The DNA ofsuch an
organism had a molecular w'eight 1%greater than DNA ofbacteria grown
on nitrogen''*.
The Composition OfDNA In A Human Cell
There is a remarkable amountofDNA in every cell and it is almost
always the same in every cell. Most normal cells are diploid,that is,they-
contain two sets ofDNA,one derived from the-matemal egg and one
from the paternal sperm:each set(or haploid genome)comprises in humans
about 3,000,000,000 base pairs(3000 Mb).All mammals have haploid
genomes ofabout this size. The haploid genome size characteristic ofa
particular species is sometimes called the C-value.Eggs and sperm are,
ofcouise,haploid;some somatic cells have multiples ofthe diploid amount
ofDNA,and are polyploid. Our genomes are larger than those ofmany
other organisms. Viral genomes are trivial, some no more than a few'
thousand base pairs(kb); bacteria have a few million;Drosophila 100
Mb.But in size ofgenome we do not excel other mammals,ncwis,lungtlsh
or onions.
Experiments have showTi that the DNA sequences in ail the
differenttypes ofcell, fora given species, are essentially the same.In
hybridization experiments.DNA from human brain cell competes elTicicntU'
with DNA from human liver. In principle,this means that the genome of
any cell contains the infomiation needed to make the whole organism.In
practice,it has indeed been possible to produce entire adults from single
cells. With plants,this is easily achieved. Nuclei from rapidly-growing
tissues ofamphibians can be transplanted into the eggs devoid ofnucleus
and it develops in adult.Such nuclear transplantation experiment is not
feasible with mammals.It has been found that human(and most eukaiy'Ote)
23
HUMAN GENETICS
DNA ●●●an be divided into three classes, depending on their abundance in
the genome: satellite DNA, interspersed repeated DNA and single copy
DNA.
Satellite DNA: It consists of short sequences repeated many
times, often in enoimous clusters end to end, (1 Mb long), mostly with, no
known genetic or other function. This makes up about 5% ofthdliuman
genome; each ofthe fourmain human satellite sequences occurs in about
100,000 copies. If the base sequence of such r^eated sequence is very
different from that of average DNA then the tandem repeat will have a
different density from the average and in experiments where DNA is
fractionated according to its density, the repeat appears as aminor fraction
distinct from bulk hence refened to as DNA Satellites. DNA Satellites
vary enormously between species. Satellite can be divided into mini and
microsatellite. A function can be attributed to the telomeric minisatellites,
found at the ends ofchromosomes. In which a hexanucleotide sequence
(mostly TTAGGG) is repeated about a thousand times; these play an
important part in DNA synthesis and chromosome integrity. More
importantly, from the point ofhuman medical genetics. Some ofthe other
satellite elements vary considerably between individuals. These are the
hypervariable minisatellites, which occur as about a thousand copies of
variations on the theme GGGCAGGAXG (x any base). Almost as variable
are the microsatellite DNAs, brief lengths of tandem repeats of very
short sequences, most frequently CA or CT or just A. A microsatellite
occurs, on average, about once every 20 kb; (1 kilobase=i000 nucleotide
base pairs). Number ofrepeats in a satellite vary in every individual. Their
variability makes them useful markers in molecular genetics, though most
of them have no direct genetic effect. Collectively, they ai'e sometimes
known as VNTR elements, short for variable number tandem repeats.
Interspersed Repeated DNA: Another highly repetitive form
is interspersed repeated DNA, 300 to few thousand long. This DNA
makes up about 20% of the human genome. Some ofthis is transcribed,
some of it, indeed, consists of elements that are present in many genes.
One human interspersed elernent is HoqAIufamily, (so called because its
members contain cleavage sites for the Alu I restriction enzyme arid
24
GENETIC MATERIALOF MAN
therefore generate characteristic fragments). Members ofthe
are about 300 bp long and occur apparently at random in the genome,
about one every 6Kb making up about 5% of the whole. Some are
transcribed by themselves; most occur inside other transcriptional units,
or are silent. Their function,if,any, is still obscure. Most human genes
contain at least one Alu sequence.In experiments where human DNA is
attempted to be transferred to other cells or vectors,Alu sequences are
useful markers for the presence of human DNA. Other families of
interspersed repeats arc rarer, but their elements can be much longer.
These long interspersed nuclear elements,or LINEs,occur in various
families in mammals,the mostcommon is the LINEl family.Present on
average once every 50 Kb,sometimes also known as the Kpn family,
because they are cleaved by the restriction enzyme Kpn I. Some small
fraction ofthe genome is moderately repetitive DNA.Some are normal
genes that are present in many copies.Their product is needed in large
quantities.They constitute about 10% ofDNA.
Single Copy DNA:The remainder ofthe human genome,about
65% is unique orsingle copy DNA;this comprises mostofthe transcribed
genes. This DNA also contains much untranscribable materials; The
percentage ofDNA that transcribe is roughly estimated to be 20% of
human genome.
Exons And Introns: Even in 20% ofthe transcribable genome
all are nottranslated into protein^ Most human genes,as are all eukaryotic
genes,split into exonsand introns.Exons are translating part ofDNA and
introns existfiinctionless between exons.Introns aretranscribed in mRNA
butare removed during maturation ofmRNA.Apparently,it is only exons
that are functional partofhuman genome.
Euricaiyqticgene
I
I Exon, I Intron Exon^
I
GENIITIC MATERIAL OF MAN
with the genetic disease retinoblastoma,(del fordeletion).A wide range
ofchromosomal abnormalities has been described.In deletions a region
of chromosome is missing. Such deletions usually have genetic
consequences.In translocations,part ofone chromosome has been broken
oITand moved to another.Ifa gene happens to lie across the region ofthe
break,it will be destroyed.Fusion oftelomeres ofthe same chromosome
produces ring chromosomes which have serious topological problems in
replication. In isochromosomes centromere divide transversely to produces
two long and two short arms ofthe same chromosome.Another special
case,Robertsonian translocation involvesthejunction oftwo telocentric
chromosomes since there are no genes beyond the centromeres ofsuch
chromosomes. Robertsonian translocations are often innocuous. In
inversions partofa chromosonie has been rotated through 180®.Inversions
are not necessarily harmful but may cause difficulty in the pairing of
homologous chromosomesin meiosis.
Sometimeschromosomes may undergo unequal pairing resulting
in addition ofan extra segment to one ofthe chromosomes.In essence,
chromosomes often undergo structural changes.In man some ofthese
structural changes are associated with syndromes which will be described
at appropriate places.
In addition to these strii *tural changes chromosomes often
undergo numerical changes,called polyploidy.Increase or decrease can
occur in number(Aneuploidy)or b> sets(Euploidy).Increase in number
ofone chromosome make it trisomic; decrease by one number ofone
cliromosome make it monosomic.Such monosomies and trisomics are
often produced among human beings and cause syndromes. Such
syndromes bychromosomal abnormalitiesisdiscussed elsewhere.Euploidy
or doubling ofwhole set ofchromosome is common in plants but rare in
animals and non-existentin human being.
Genetic Code
The kinds ofproteins in a cell determine the structure and function ofthat
cell.All the difTcrent kinds ofchemical transformations for biosynthesis
and for the utilization ofenergy are dependent on enzymes.In all cellular
organisms there arc thou.'^ands ofenzymes,each being a specific protein.
29
HUMAN GENETICS
All ofthem have the siime basic structure-large macromolcculesconsisting
ofpolymers ofsome 20 amino acidsjoined to each other. The highly
specific nature ofenzjrnes can be traced to the unique sequence ofamino
acids and to their three dimensional spatial structure that arises from the
specific foldingsofthe amino acid chain and cross-linkages between certain
pairs of amino acids in adjacent folds. Genes are made up of
deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA).(Certain viruses have RNA in place of
DNA.)Earlierit had been demonstrated thatgenescontrol enemies.Since
amino acids form enzymes(proteins)there must be some connection
between the DNA ofthe gene and the amino acids ofthe proteins.How is
infonnation in the form ofDNA molecules conveyed to sites ofprotein
formation? In other words how are genetic informations translated? The
coding problem indicated that there must be some relation between the
sequence ofthe four bases ofDNA and the sequence ofthe 20 amino
acids ofproteins.The coding hypothesis had to account forthe way these
; four bases(adenine,thymine,cytosine;guanine)mustarrange themselves
so that each permutation is the code for an amino acid. In the coding
procedure it is obvious that there cannot be a 1:1 correlation between
four bases and 20 amino acids because that will code for only4amino
acids.Ifthe coding unit consists of2 bases,only 16 amino acids can be
coded for.
A T C G
A AA AT AC AG
T TA TT TC TG
C CA CT CC CG .
G GA GT GC GG
This also falls short of20amino acid that needed to be coded for.
Therefore,the protein code must consist ofat least three bases
because 64 possible words can be formed by four bases when taken as
triplets. DNA must then be considered a language written in a 4 letter
alphabet. The particular composition or sequence ofamino acids in a
given protein are thus specified by the particularsequence ofamino acids
30
GENETIC MATERIALOF MAN
in a given protein are tlius specified b>'the particularsequence ofnucleotide
pairs in a specific DN A mole^le.The information iscoded in DNA ofthe
nucleus,v^iiereas protein sjuthesisoccurs iiithecytoplasm.An intermediaiy'
ofsome kind between the two regions is necessary.This intermediary is
special kind ofRNA called messenger RNA.Messenger RNA is thought
to be transcribed directly from DNA in the nucleus,each ofthe many
messengers RNA being determined by a gene or a particular segmentof
DNA.(RNA differsfrom DNA in havinga sugar residue ofribose instead
ofdeoxyribose).In this process ofmakinga complimentary copy ofone
strand or gene ofDNA in the formation ofmessenger RNA,an enzyme.
RNA polymerase, is needed. The messenger RNA when formed is
separated from the DNA and migrates through nuclear pores into the
cytoplasm of the cell, where it becomes attached to ribosome,
submicroscopic structures ofprotein,and a nonspecific RNA.Here Ae
messenger RNA molecule serves as atemplate against which amino acids
are lined in a sequence according to the coded instructionsin messenger
RNA.Amino acids are either obtained in the food supply or synthesized
by the organism.
Various amino acids are activated and en^miatically attached to a
second type ofRNA called transfer RNA.Each transfer RNA is specific
for a particular amino acid. More tl in one kind oftransfer RNA is found
forc^ain amino acids.By stepwise addition,the amino acids are guided
by the coding sequence on transfer RNA,to which they are attached and
arranged in the correct order along messenger RNA to form a Protein
molecule.Each gene codesfor about500amino acids,whichisthe average
of a polypeptide chain, and since the codons are in groups of three
nucleotides,there would be 1500 nucleotide pairs in a single gene.These
figures naturally will vary with the protein or enzyme being coded for.
Operon Concept
The genetic code does notexplain how genesare turned offand
on as their products are needed by the cell.It does notexplain w^y certain
enzymesare not formed when they are not needed.Ifan enzyme-forming
system lacks control,the whole economy ofthe cell would be affected
31
HUMAN GENETICS,
adversely. Cells also require control as they differentiate different amounts
ofthesame enzyme at different times.There must be mechanisms in the
cell for repressifjg the synthesis ofenzymes when these are not needed
and for inducing them when they are needed.
In 1960 the two French scientists. F.Jacob and Monod,proposed
the operon hypothesis or model,for explaining how repressions and
inductions ofprotein synthesis might occur.Although the investigators
worked with bacteria,it seems highly probable that their hypothesis applies
to all living beings.The gist oftheir hypothesis for wiiich thq'were awarded
the Nobel Prize in 1965 may be stated in the following way:
I. Structural Gene: The structural genes direct synthesis of
proteins by forming mRNA.
II. Operator Gene:It is a site that binds repressor or activator
elaborated byregulator gene and thereby determines whether a structural
gene would form mRNA or not Ifa repressor binds to it RNA polymerase
is unable to synthesize mRNA.
III. Regulator Gene:It elaborates regulator proteins such as a
repressible protein or aniictivator protein. Repressible protein inhibits
transcription ofmRNA by RNA polymerase.Activator protein.facilitates
transcription ofmRNa by RNA polymerase.
IV. Promoter Gene: Promoter is the site of binding ofRNA
polymerase to DNA for mRNA transcriptions since promoter operator lie
side by side oroverlap.Binding ofrepressor to operatorphysically interfere
with binding ofRNA polymerase to promoter gene.
Two sites in promoter are highly conserved that facilitate RNA
polymerase binding. These are called consensus sequence. The two
consensus sequences are:
a-10 TATA AT(Pribnow Box): Located-10 bp upstream from
start ofmRNA transcription site. The double straiided DNA open from
here for mRNA transcription.
b-35 TTGACA: Located-35 bp upstream which is RNA
polymerase recognition & binding site.
32
. GENETIC PHENOMENA
CHAPTER-3
GENETIC PHENOMENA
Genetics has developed its own terminology understanding of
which is essential for present day knowledge.These tenns are all important
to the student ofheredity, because they arc essential in understanding the
analyses ofgenetic problems. Whenever a cross involves only one pair of
contrasting characters,it is called a monohybrid; when the cross has two
pairs,it is a dihybrid; when the cross has three pairs, it is a trihybrid; and
when it has more than three pairs,it is a polyhybrid. Characters that show-
in the FI are dominant: those that are hidden are recessive. When a
dominant always shows up in the phenotype it is said to have complete
dominance; w'hen it sometimes fails to manifest itselfit is called incomplete
dominance. When two characters form a contrasting pair,they are called
alleles or allelomorphs. The.term factor that Mendel used so widely is
replaced by gene.A zygote is the union oftwo gametes:\v-hcne\cr the nvo
members of pair ofgenes are alike in a zygote, it is homoz\’gous for that
particular character: when the genes arc unlike for a given character,the
zygote is heteroz>'gous. A hybrid,for instance,is a heterozygote.
Penetrance refers to the percentage frequency with which a gene
manifests phenotypic effects. Ifa dominant gene,or,a recessive gene in a
homozygous state,always produces a detectable effect, it is said to have
complete penetrance. Ifdominant or homozygous recessi\ e genes fail to
show phenot\pic e.xpression in ex-eiy case,it iscalled incomplete or ivduccd
penetrance. The genotype responsible for diabetes mellitus. for instance,
ma}’be present, but the disease does not always occur because ofreduced
penetrance.
The phenotypic variation in the expression ofa gene is known as
expressivity. For instance a heritable allergy may cause more se\ ere
.s>Ttiptoms in one person than in another. Environmental factors may cause
different degrees in the appearance ofa phenotype. Lower temperatures
pennit expression ofthe genes for a black colour!n certain regions ofthe
Siamese cat. Wliat is inherited is a certain genotype,but how it is expressed
phcnotypically is determined by environmental and other factors.
IIUMANGI-NETICS
Linkage Is Location Of Genes On A Chromosome
Genes represent the material bases or chemical entities that are
responsible for the hereditary pattern ofan organism. They belong to
chromosomes and go wherever chromosomes go.By long,patient genetic
experiments,their relative positions(loci)on the chromosomes have been
mapped in many cases. Evidence indicates that they are arranged in linear
order on the chromosome.
Linkage alters the expected mendelian ratios,which are based on
free assortment. Linkage was first discovered in 1906 by Bateson and
Punnett in sweet peas when it was found that sweet peas with purple
flower had elongated pollen grains and those vrith red flower had round
pollen grains. Morgan showed in Drosophila that when a wild type fly
with gray body and long vrings is crossed with a fly bearing two recessive
mutantcharacters ofblack body^d vestigial wings,the dihybrids(FI)all
have gray bodies and long wings.Ifa male ofone ofthe FLsistestcrossed
with a female with a blackbody and vestigial wings,the flies are gary-long
and black vestigial.Ifthere had been free assortment,that isifthe various
characters had been carried on different chromosomes,the expected
olTspring would have been represented by four types offlies: gray-long,
gray-ve.stigial,black-long and black-vestigial. However,in this case gray-
long and black-vestigial had entered the dihybrid crosstogether and stayed
together,or linked.
Crossing Over
Linkage, how'cver, is usually only partial, for it is broken up
frequcntl)- by what is known as crossing over. In this phenomenon the
characters usually separate with a certain frequency.How often two genes
break their linkage,or tlieir percentageofcrossing over,varies with different
genes. In some cases this percentage ofcrossing-over is only 1%or less;
w iih others it may be nearly 50%.
■file greater the distance between any two genes, the more likely
iliey v\ ill separate from each other. This crossing-over thus makes possible
new combinations of linked genes.
Crossing-over makes possible the construction of cli^mosome
maps and proofthat the genes lie in a linear order on the chromosomes.
34
GENIiTIC PHENOMENA
To illustrate how this is done one may take a hypothetical case ofthree
genes(A,B.C)on the same chromosome. In the determination oftheir
comparative linear position on the chromosome,it will first be necessary
to find the crossing-over value between any two ofthese genes.IfA and
B have a crossing-over of2%and B and C of8%,then the crossing -over
percentage between A and C should be either the sum(2 + 8)or the
difference(8-2).Ifit isl0%B lies between A and C;if6%,A is between
B and C. By laborious genetic experiments over many years, the
chromosome maps in Drosophila were worked out in this manner.
The Gene And Mutation
Among the variations thatappearin the makeup ofanimals,there
are both hereditary and nonhereditaiy kinds.Nonhereditary variations
are due to environmental changes such as nutrition,light,heat,and other
factors that operate during the developmentofthe animal.Such fluctuating
variations occur in all animals and are not hereditary. The hereditary
variations are due to changesinthe genesorchromosomes and are referred
to as mutations.Ordinarily,genes are very stable,but they are molecules
and are subject to change under the influence ofmany kinds offactors.
Some changes arise spontaneously,and other can be induced by artificial
agencies.Undoubtedly many more mutations occur than are actually seen,
because mostofthem are recessive and produce visible effects only when
they are homozygous. Mutations happen in both somatic and germinal
tissue,but only the latter ones are transmitted sexually.
Mutations generally effect a single base-pair ofDN A and hence
referred to as point mutations. However,more than one base-pair may be
affected. In such cases it is known as mullisite mutations.Multisite mutations
are equivalent to chromosomal mutation.
A mutation involves a change in the chemical arrangement ofa
gene so that there is a difference in the structure and action ofa gene that
may resultin a new character.In such cases the mutant gene now faithfully
reproduces itselfjust as before.The natural mutation rate, which varies
with different animals,is slow butcan be speeded up aitificially by agents
such as radiation, by tempefature, by certain chemicals,and by other
.i5
HUMAN GliNlITICS
environmental agents. Mutations are called random because they are
unpredictable and because they are unrelated to the needs ofthe orgpism,
but some mutations are favoured by tissue and environmental conditions.
Man\- mutant genes are actually harmful because they may replace adaptive
genes that ha^ e evolved in the long evolution ofthe oiganism.However,a
minorit}’ofmutant genes are advantageous and have great significance in
evolution. Some mutant genes are dominant genetically, but more are
recessive and their effects are masked by normaldomiiuint alleles. Mutation
may be a reversible process,and the difference between the rate ofmutation
ofgene in one direction and its mutation rate in the reserve direction is
called its mutation pressure. Such reverse mutations indicate that true
mutations are not gene losses. Gene mutations may occur in one direction
more frequently than in others,and thus certain mutant alleles are far more
common that others.
Plasmagcncs And Cytoplasmic Inheritance
There is some evidence tliat some genetic variability is the result
ofself-duplicating,hereditary units in the cytoplasm.Such units are called
plasmagcnes and are apparently transmitted only by the cytoplasm.Two
examples ofthis t>pe ofcytoplasmic inheritance are offered by plant plastids
and mitochondria.Both are known to have their own DNA.It is supposed
that during early evolutionary phase of eukaryotes, plastids and
mitochondria existed as free living bacterial entities. They were trapped
by evolving eukaiyote cell and thus lost their independent existence(The
endos>mbiunt h\pothesis).The view is supported by the fact that DNA of
these organelles have only coding region and no non-coding region,like
bacteria. We will see later on that eukaryotic genes are split,characterized
by exons and intervening introns.Exons code for protein,and introns are
apparentl) functionless part ofDNA that separate exons.A gene may
have a few exons and a few introns.
Determination OfSex
Soon after rediscovery'ofMendelism,in 1902 McClung discovered that
in certain bugs males have one chromosome less than the number of
chromosomes in females. It was soon found out that chromosomes ofa
.species can be divided into two groups- autosomes controlling metabolic
36
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no related content on Scribd:
following extracts are taken: There are over ten thousand
Europeans and Americans resident in China. The English head
the list with 4,000; the Americans number 1,325; Germans, 882;
French, 875; Portuguese, 805; Spaniards, 461; Norwegians, 375;
Russians, 116; Italians, 108, etc. There are 669 Japanese.
Twenty-two ports are open to foreign residence, that is to
say, that Europeans are allowed to acquire conditional title
to certain lands, on which they live, govern themselves, and
have special privileges in judicial matters. The ports are
Mengtz, Lung Chow, Pakhoi, King Chow, Lappa, Canton, Kowlon,
Swatow, Amoy, Fuchau, Winchow, Ningpo, Shanghai, Chinkiang,
Wuhu, Kiukiang, Hankow, Ichang, Chungking, Chefoo, Tientsin,
and Niuchwang. It is to be noted that Peking does not appear
on this list, although the embassies and legations are
established there. The Chinese who find themselves under
foreign jurisdiction appear more than contented with the
situation, because, although taxes are high, they are fixed.
Two hundred thousand natives live in the European settlements
of Shanghai. Besides the foreign residents of China, a large
number live in ports that have been ceded to other nations.
For instance, Hongkong comprises in its civil population 4,195
Europeans and Americans. With the troops and sailors, this
number is raised to 8,545. Hongkong is the actual capital of
foreign industry in the far East. More than 3,000 vessels,
with a tonnage of nearly 4,000,000 touch there annually. The
same spirit which caused the development of Singapore,
Colombo, and Hongkong is to be found in the foreign
settlements of the open ports of China."
{81}
{82}
Of the notes thus passed between the British Minister and the
Tsung-li Yamên, that of the former, dated February 9, was as
follows: "Your Highnesses and your Excellencies have more than
once intimated to me that the Chinese Government were aware of
the great importance that has always been attached by Great
Britain to the retention in Chinese possession of the
Yang-tsze region, now entirely hers, as providing security for
the free course and development of trade. I shall be glad to
be in a position to communicate to Her Majesty's Government a
definite assurance that China will never alienate any
territory in the provinces adjoining the Yang-tsze to any
other Power, whether under lease, mortgage, or any other
designation. Such an assurance is in full harmony with the
observations made to me by your Highnesses and your
Excellencies."
"On the evening of the 10th the Yamên answered that they would
appoint a day for an interview when they had received the
Contract, which, they said, had not yet reached Peking for
ratification. On the 11th I replied that I understood from
this communication that they undertook not to ratify until
they had seen me. To this they returned an evasive answer to
the effect that they were all engaged by ceremonies at the
Palace connected with the Emperor's birthday, which would last
some days. I should add that I had already, on the 10th, sent
them a note in which I criticized the Contract in detail,
stating finally that I should have further objections to bring
forward at my interview with them. I now hear on good
authority that the Contract was ratified yesterday, the 12th.
That the ratification has thus been rushed through is
undoubtedly due to the influence of Li Hung-chang, combined
with strong pressure on the part of the Representatives of
Russia, France, and Belgium, and if heavy payment is not
exacted from the Chinese Government for their bad faith, Li
will persuade his colleagues that it is safer to slight
England than any other Power, and any pressure which we may
want to bring to bear in other matters will be without weight.
I therefore think that Her Majesty's Government should insist
either:—
On the 17th the reply of the British Foreign Office was sent
by Mr. Balfour, as follows:
CHINA:
"Railway and other Concessions obtained by British Companies:
I. Province of Shansi.
The Peking Syndicate have acquired the 'sole right to open and
work coal and iron mines throughout the districts of Yu Hsien
and Ping Ting-chou, and the Prefectures of Lusan Fu, Tsü-chou
Fu, and Ping Yang Fu, and also petroleum, wherever found.'
Under their contract, the Syndicate have also the right to
'construct branch railways to connect with main lines or with
water navigation, to facilitate transport of Shansi coal.'
This has been interpreted officially to include the right of
connecting the mines with Siang-yang in Hupeh, the nearest
head of navigation giving access to the Yang-tsze. This means
a railway of 250 miles. As to the value of this Concession, it
is not amiss to quote the testimony of Baron von Richthofen,
the great authority on the geology of China. He says that, 'in
proportion to its area, Shansi has probably the largest and
most easily workable coalfield of any region on the globe, and
the manufacture of iron is capable of almost unlimited
extension.'
{85}
X. Province of Kwangtung.
The Jardine Syndicate has the right to construct a railway
from Kowloon to Canton. The length of line will be nearly 100
miles.
CHINA:
"Concessions other than British. Russian.
1. From Tonquin up the Red River Valley to Yünnan Fu, say 200
miles. The impression in French railway circles is that a
railway through Yünnan will not pay expenses, and if any
serious attempt is made to carry out the extension of the
Tonquin system, it will be merely as a stepping-stone to
Ssü-ch'uan. Yet again, any pretensions that a railway from
Yünnan to the Yang-tsze may have to rank as a commercial
project have been pronounced against by every traveller in
Central China.