Chapter 1 : Introduction to Genetics
Topics covered in this snack-sized chapter:
Genetics: the branch of biology concerned with the study of heredity and variation in organisms
Heredity: the process of transmission of characteristics of living organisms from one generation to the next
To discover the mechanism of origin and transmission of hereditary characters
To study the interaction between hereditary characters and their explanation
An Austrian monk, Gregor Mendel, developed the fundamental principles that would become the modern science of genetics.
Also known as the "father of modern genetics"
Microbial genetics: deals with the genetics of micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, unicellular plants and animals
Mycogenetics: the genetics of fungi
Plant genetics
Animal genetics
Human genetics
Population genetics: the genetics of the different populations of animal and plant species
Cytogenetics: provides the cytological explanations of genetical principles
Biochemical genetics: provides the biochemical explanations of various genetical phenomena
Molecular genetics: the most modern branch of genetics, interprets most genetical phenomena in the term of chemical molecules
Clinical genetics: applies genetical analysis in diagnosing various hereditary diseases in man and suggests the possible cures for them
Developmental genetics: applies genetical knowledge to the developmental biology
Radiation genetics: deals with the genetical effects of radiations on the living organisms
Quantitative or biometric genetics: deals with the inheritance of quantitative traits such as body weight, mature plant height egg or milk production records, yield of grain per acre, etc.
Ecological genetics: deals with the genetics of ecological phenomena
Understanding hereditary diseases and to develop new treatments
Donor matches
Paternity
Forensics
Evolution