LECTURE 1

Introduction to genetics

Today’s topics:

  1. Course overview
  2. Introduction to genetics
  3. Brief history of genetics
  4. DNA structure

Readings:

Pierce: Chapter 1, 275-280, 412-414 (extra review in Chapter 2)

Stearns and Hoekstra: 15-17, 507-510

Course overview (All information available on syllabus)

Organization


Prerequisites/crashing




Blackboard web site: https://blackboard.sdsu.edu

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 12:30-1:30 in LS212

Grading




Course Objectives




Introduction to genetics

What is genetics?





Basic terminology:
Trait

Inherited traits




Subdisciplines of genetics:

Molecular genetics


Transmission genetics


Population genetics






Brief history of genetics

10,000 - 1,000 BC

Artificial selection






Greeks (ca. 600-300 BC)





pangenesis




Hippocrates





1600’s to 1800’s

Developments in embryology





Understanding that somatic cells differ from germ cells




1859: Darwin




1857-1863: Mendel






DNA structure

Watson and Crick (1953)




nucleotide subunits of A, T, G, C




double helix


DNA has a directional structure



A-T and G-C pairing




Gene


Chromosome


Genome





DNA replication







Evolution: any change in the genetic composition of a population or species over time





Genotype: genetic composition of an individual




Phenotype: appearance of an individual




Expression: relates genotype to phenotype




The genetic code is redundant.



The "central dogma"

DNA -> RNA-> Protein






Review "Basic concepts in genetics", pp. 12-14

For next time:

Pierce, 473-479, 482, 235-253

Stearns and Hoekstra, 515-516