BIOLOGY
I
UNIT FIVE:
GENETICS – EXPLORING HEREDITY
Why are my eyes blue? How do you get Down’s
syndrome? Is my child at risk for a genetic disease? These are some of the
questions which will be answered thoughout this unit. This unit examines the
science of genetics from its beginnings in Mendel’s experiments to current
research and applications in molecular genetics.
Students will begin this unit by
examining the basic principles of heredity. Next, they will study more complex
level of chromosomes and genes. Using the knowledge gained from the basic
principles, the students will discover some of the more complex patterns of
inheritance. These include genetic diseases, genetic counseling and genetic
engineering. The ultimate goal is to gain a better understanding of the
importance of genetics in our lives.
The
following terminology will used within this unit.
Genetics
Heredity
Self-pollination
Cross-pollination
Purebred
Trait
Hybrid
Gene
Allele
Dominance
Recessive
Segregation
Punnet
square
Gamete
Phenotype
Genotype
Homozygous
Heterozygous
Carrier
Independent
assortment
Test
cross
Probability
Parental
F1
F2
Monohybrid
cross
Dihybrid
cross
Trihybrid
cross
Chromosomal
theory
Linkage
Recombinant
Sex
chromosome
Autosome
Sex-linked
Sex-influenced
Mutation
Chromosomal
mutation
Nondisjunction
Polyploidy
Point
mutation
Frameshift
mutation
Deletion
Addition
Substitution
Translocation
Inversion
Intron
Exon
Incomplete
dominance
Codominance
Polygenetic
Zygote
Multiple
allele
Selective
breeding
Mutagen
Genetic
engineering
Genome
DNA
fingerprinting