Principles of Genetics

BIOL 309

Dr. Bulmer
Smith Hall 251
704-4065
mbulmer@towson.edu
25% classical genetics
50% molecular genetics
25% population genetics/
evolutionary genetics

Mutant fly

Syllabus (Blackboard)

Text: Principles of Genetics, 6th

Ed. by Snustad and Simmons

Assessment:
- 3 class and recitation exams and
final is comprehensive.
-

Bring calculator to exams

Problem sets (in groups)

Take home exam

Recitations

Start week of September 5

Bring Text: Principles of Genetics, 5th or 6th Ed.
by Snustad and Simmons
Section 001M 1:00-2:50 (Smith Hall 203)
Section 002T 11:00-12:50 (Smith Hall 203)
Section 003W 1:00-2:50 (Smith Hall 203)
Section 004R 11:00-12:50 (Smith Hall 203)
(Office hours: M 11-12:30, W 11-12:30)

Classical genetics
Deals with discrete traits that appear

to have alternate forms in different

individuals.
These alternate traits often encoded
by different versions of the same gene
(alleles).
For example - tongue rolling
65-80% of people can roll their

tongues.
Why do some tongue rolling parents
have non-rolling offspring?
*1

P.T.C. (phenylthiocarbamide paper)

The paper is bitter or tasteless

depending on heredity of taster

P.T.C discovered in 1931 - Arthur Fox, a DuPont chemist

Discovered taste corresponded with simple Mendelian

pattern.

The genetic correlation was so strong that it was used in

paternity tests before the advent of DNA matching.

Determining your P.T.C. tasting

genotype
No taste- your genotype is tt
Taste- Genotype TT or Tt.
You can often determine your genotype by
testing the trait in other members of your family.
For example, if you can taste bitterness and one
of your parents can not taste bitterness then you
must be heterozygous.
However, if you and both your parents taste it
you could be homozygous (TT) or heterozygous.
need info. from other family members.
*2

P.T.C tasting

You taste bitterness, spouse and half your

children can not taste bitterness
Are you heterozygous or homozygous for
this tasting trait?

*3

Gregor Mendel
(classical genetics)
E.g. addresses the question of how a trait like P.T.C.
tasting is transmitted to the next generation?

1856-1863 experiments
on peas
- described transmission of
discrete traits between
generations

1866 published results

Ignored until 1900

Mendels contribution
Hereditary determinants responsible for
traits (genes).

Alternate versions of a trait are encoded by

alternate versions of the hereditary
determinants (alleles).

Rules of Inheritance
Alleles of the same gene separate
during gamete formation (eggs and
sperm)

Alleles of different genes are inherited

independently

Classical genetics
Chromosomes follow Mendelian patterns
of inheritance

Microscopy of chromosomes provided first

hint that chromosomes carried the hereditary
determinants (genes).

Many traits due to multiple genes (Quantitative

genetics).

Molecular genetics
E.g. Characteristics of the molecules that
encode P.T.C. tasting

DNA established as the

genetic material
- different nucleotides (bases)
provide a code

DNA molecules are made of

two chains of nucleotides
wound around each other in a
helix
Base pairs hold the chains
together

A pairs with T
G pairs with C

DNA replication

Two strands
suggested a template
mechanism of
replication
Explains how
hereditary
determinants could
be copied and passed
from generation to
generation.

DNA expression
Genotype

Gene for P.T.C.

tasting

Phenotype

RNA expression
In tongue

Protein receptor
for P.T.C.

Mutation
Changing the nucleotide sequence
changes the genotype, which may lead to
changes in the phenotype.
P.T.C. tasting was probably universal in
the past.

Mutation in a P.T.C. taste receptor gene

makes the gene product non-functional (null
allele).
Why do so many of us have this nonfunctional gene in two doses?

Population Genetics
E.g. The study of variation in genes
for P.T.C. tasting versus no tasting within
and among
populations.

Deals with changes in the

genetic makeup of populations

Genetic Drift
Inbreeding
Natural selection

Evolutionary genetics

Phylogenetics- evolutionary relationships between

species
Molecular evolution- gene evolution (through
mutation) over long periods of time (multiple
generations).

E.g. track how P.T.C. receptor has changed with shifts in

diet