Exploring the Foundations and Advances of Genetics: From the Structure of DNA to Molecular Genetics
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Course
Genética (BIOL300)
Institution
Universidad Europea De Madrid (UEM)
This document provides a comprehensive overview of genetics, focusing on fundamental concepts and recent advances in the field. It begins with a description of the structure of DNA and how this molecule has been key to understanding heredity and molecular genetics. Next, the relationship between ge...
STUDY ON GENETICS
Genetics is a branch of biology that focuses on the study of genes, heredity, and
variation of characteristics in living organisms. Over the years, advances in this
discipline have revolutionized our understanding of how genetic traits are passed on
and how they contribute to biological diversity. In this study, we will explore some
fundamental concepts of genetics, as well as the latest advances in the field.
The structure of DNA:
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the fundamental molecule of genetics. It consists of two
helical chains of nucleotides, which are formed by a nitrogenous base (adenine,
thymine, cytosine or guanine), a sugar (deoxyribose) and a phosphate group. The
double helix structure of DNA was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in
1953, and it provided the basis for understanding heredity and molecular genetics.
Genes and chromosomes:
Genes are specific segments of DNA that contain information for protein synthesis and
determine hereditary characteristics. Genes are found on chromosomes, which are
rod-shaped structures found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Human beings have 46
chromosomes organized into 23 pairs, with 22 autosomal pairs and one pair of sex
chromosomes (XX in females and XY in males).
Mendelian inheritance:
Gregor Mendel was the father of modern genetics, and his experiments with peas
established the basic laws of heredity. According to Mendel's laws, hereditary traits
are passed from one generation to the next through genes. Fundamental concepts of
Mendelian inheritance include segregation and recombination of alleles during sexual
reproduction.
Alleles and phenotype:
Alleles are different forms or variants of a gene. They can be dominant or recessive,
and determine the observable phenotype of an organism. The phenotype is the
physical expression or observable characteristics of an individual, such as eye color or
height, and is influenced by both genes and environmental factors.
Population's genetics:
Population genetics studies how genes and genetic variants are distributed and change
in populations over time. Factors that affect population genetics include genetic drift,
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