what does a gentics course cover

by Evert Sporer Jr. 9 min read

A bachelor's degree program in genetics includes general education courses along with core genetics courses. You'll learn about the principles of genetics, molecular genetics, genomics and the ways in which genes influence behavior and health, among other topics. You'll also be required to complete work in the lab with most of your science courses.

Course Description
The topics include: structure and function of genes, chromosomes and genomes, biological variation resulting from recombination, mutation, and selection, population genetics, use of genetic methods to analyze protein function, gene regulation and inherited disease.

Full Answer

What is the course description of the genetics course?

Genetics Course Chapter Outline 1- Introduction The course is divided into 8 chapters and is designed as a semester elective. Basic concepts from biology will be reviewed and built upon. This course covers topics such as inheritance, manipulating DNA, and genetic engineering. A short description of the content of each chapter is summarized below.

What are the basics of genetics?

In HMX Fundamentals Genetics, you’ll get an overview of key concepts behind the evolving fields of human genetics, genomics, and precision medicine. This foundational course prepares participants for more in-depth study of advances in genetics, including topics like cancer genomics and precision oncology and genetic testing and sequencing ...

What classes do I need to take for a Genetics degree?

We will study the inheritance of genes in humans, using pedigree analysis. Finally, we will cover how genetics can be used to study biochemistry, and how a collection of mutants with the same phenotype can be used to study a biochemical pathway. During this unit, you will be introduced to common genetic terms and learn to use them accurately.

What can you do with a Genetics degree?

Aug 12, 2021 · Genetics is the scientific study of genes and heredity—of how certain qualities or traits are passed from parents to offspring as a result of changes in DNA sequence. A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for building one or more molecules that help the body work. DNA is shaped like a corkscrew-twisted ladder, called a double ...

What do you study in a genetics degree?

A degree in genetics can provide you with subject-specific skills including an understanding of biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and physiology; the function and expression of genes and an understanding of the current state of genetic research, methodology, ethics and technology.

What are the 3 major fields of genetics?

Divisions of Genetics Traditionally, the study of genetics has been divided into three major subdisciplines: transmission genetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics. Transmission genetics encompasses the basic principles of genetics and how traits are passed from one generation to the next.

How many branches of genetics are there?

Some of the branches of genetics include behavioural genetics, classical genetics, cytogenetics, molecular genetics, developmental genetics, and population genetics. Molecular genetics, in particular, is a study of heredity and variation at the molecular level.May 12, 2021

What are the four branches of genetics?

Various branches of GeneticsPlant genetics: The genetics of plants.Animal genetics: The genetics of animals.Microbial genetics: The genetics of Microorganisms (Viruses, Bacteria, unicellular plants and animals)More items...•Jan 14, 2019

Course Description

This course discusses the principles of genetics with application to the study of biological function at the level of molecules, cells, and multicellular organisms, including humans.

Related Content

Chris Kaiser, Gerald Fink, Leona Samson, and Michelle Mischke. 7.03 Genetics. Fall 2004. Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare, https://ocw.mit.edu. License: Creative Commons BY-NC-SA.

Learn about the building blocks of life – and the future of medicine

The way we diagnose and treat diseases is changing, with new technologies enabled by a deeper understanding of the human genome and its relationship to health and disease.

Christine DeGennaro, PhD

As DNA sequencing becomes cheaper and more readily available, the role of genetics in medicine is expanding. With our increasing understanding of the variation in the human genome, we can start to predict how specific changes in DNA sequence will affect an individual’s health.

Robert C. Green, MD, MPH

Genomics is inherently exciting, and you can see that because of its relationship to forensic law enforcement, reproduction, ancestry, cancer and all sorts of medical developments, and all of the controversy related to direct-to-consumer genetic testing.

Carrie Blout, MS, CGC, LGC

Genetics is really a subspecialty of all specialties. The more we understand the genetic basis of biology, the more we will understand human health and disease. Having a strong background in genetics will be important as genomic technologies continue to expand and are implemented more and more into clinical care.

What is genetics?

Genetics is the scientific study of genes and heredity —of how certain qualities or traits are passed from parents to offspring as a result of changes in DNA sequence. A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for building one or more molecules that help the body work. DNA is shaped like a corkscrew-twisted ladder, called a double helix.

How do genetic variations affect people?

Also, genetic variations can influence how people respond to certain medicines or a person’s likelihood of developing a disease. Because parents pass their genes on to their children, some diseases tend to cluster in families, similar to other inherited traits. In most cases, multiple genes are involved. Researchers can use DNA sequencing ...

Why do researchers use DNA sequencing?

In most cases, multiple genes are involved. Researchers can use DNA sequencing to identify variations in a person’s genome. Some variations between individuals result from epigenetic differences. These are changes in gene function, some of which can be inherited but are not the result of changes in DNA sequence.

What is DNA shaped like?

DNA is shaped like a corkscrew-twisted ladder , called a double helix. The two ladder rails are called backbones, and the rungs are pairs of four building blocks (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine) called bases. The sequences of these bases provide the instructions for building molecules, most of which are proteins.

How many genes are there in the human genome?

Researchers estimate that humans have about 20,000 genes. All of an organism ’s genetic material, including its genes and other elements that control the activity of those genes, is its genome. An organism’s entire genome is found in nearly all of its cells.

Where is the genome located?

In human, plant, and animal cells, the genome is housed in a structure called the nucleus. The human genome is mostly the same in all people with just small variations. For more on the human genome, visit the National Human Genome Research Institute’s About Genomics webpage. A DNA double helix.

Who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2015?

Nobel Prize. In 2015, Drs. Aziz Sancar, Paul Modrich, and Tomas Lindahl received the prestigious Nobel Prize in chemistry for mechanistic studies of DNA repair. Every day, our DNA is damaged by environmental assaults, as well as copy errors during cell division. Yet, our genomes remain largely intact.

What is genetics in biology?

Genetics is the study of heredity at multiple levels of understanding, ranging from molecules to populations. Genetics occupies a central position in modern biology, so its understanding is essential for all scholars of the life sciences. The discipline has great impact on many everyday aspects of human life. ...

What are the majors in ISU?

Many of these share common introductory core coursework with the Genetics major.

What is the cornerstone of genetics?

DNA . DNA is the cornerstone of genetics and is the perfect place to start for an introduction to genetics. DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid and it is the molecule that holds the genetic information for a cell and an organism. A DNA molecule contains a code that can be used by a cell to express certain genes.

What is genetics in biology?

Genetics is a field of biology that studies how traits are passed from parents to their offspring. The passing of traits from parents to offspring is known as heredity, therefore, genetics is the study of heredity. This introduction to genetics takes you through the basic components of genetics such as DNA, genes, ...

How does DNA affect reproduction?

During reproduction, DNA is replicated and passed from a parent to their offspring. This inheritance of genetic material by offspring influences the appearance and behavior of the offspring. The environment that an organism lives in can also influence how genes are expressed.

Where is DNA found in eukaryotic cells?

In eukaryotic cells, DNA is found in the nucleus as a tightly coiled double helix. DNA molecules are replicated during cell division. When a cell divides, the two new cells contain all the same DNA that the original cell had. In sexual reproduction with two parents, half of the DNA of the offspring is provided by each of the parents.

What are the components of genetics?

This introduction to genetics takes you through the basic components of genetics such as DNA, genes, chromosomes and genetic inheritance. Genetics is built around molecules called DNA. DNA molecules hold all the genetic information for an organism. It provides cells with the information they need to perform tasks that allow an organism to grow, ...

How many genes are there in the DNA?

DNA molecules have a unique code for each gene which codes for their specific protein. Some organisms can have more than 100,000 different genes so they will have 100,000 unique sequences of DNA ‘code’.

Where are chromosomes formed?

Chromosomes are formed in the nucleus of a cell when a cell is dividing. It is possible to see chromosomes under an ordinary light microscope if the cell is in the right stage of cell division. The number of chromosomes varies between species. Humans have 46 chromosomes.

Why is genetics important?

Understanding genetic factors and genetic disorders is important in learning more about promoting health and preventing disease. Some genetic changes have been associated with an increased risk of having a child with a birth defect ...

What is genetic disorder?

Genetic disorders often are described in terms of the chromosome that contains the gene that is changed in people who have the disorder.

How do we get our genes?

How We Get Our Genes. People get (inherit) their chromosomes, which contain their genes, from their parents. Chromosomes come in pairs and humans have 46 chromosomes, in 23 pairs. Children randomly get one of each pair of chromosomes from their mother and one of each pair from their father.

What is single gene disorder?

Single Gene Disorders. Some genetic diseases are caused by a DNA mutation in one of a person’s genes. For example, suppose part of a gene usually has the sequence TAC. A mutation can change the sequence to TTC in some people.

How many copies of a gene can cause dominant diseases?

Dominant diseases can be caused by only one copy of a gene having a DNA mutation. If one parent has the disease, each child has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated gene.

What is Fragile X syndrome?

Sickle cell disease causes anemia and other complications. Fragile X syndrome, on the other hand, is an X-linked single gene disorder. It is caused by a change in a gene on the X chromosome.

What is it called when you have an extra chromosome?

Having an extra chromosome is called trisomy. Missing a chromosome is called monosomy. For example, people with Down syndrome have an extra copy of chromosome 21. This extra copy changes the body’s and brain’s normal development and causes intellectual and physical problems for the person.

What is genetic information?

Genetic information means: Information about an individual's genetic tests; Information about the genetic test of a family member ; Family medical history; Requests for and receipt of genetic services by an individual or a family member; and.

Why does GINA prohibit employers from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about an individual?

Because GINA prohibits employers from requesting, requiring, or purchasing genetic information about an individual, when an employer asks for information about an applicant's or employee's current health status (e.g., to support an employee's request for reasonable accommodation under the ADA or a request for sick leave), it should warn the employee and/or the employee's health care provider from whom it is requesting the information not to provide genetic information.

What is the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act?

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This document provides basic information about the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, including the definition of genetic information under the law.

Do employers have to keep genetic information confidential?

Confidentiality of Genetic Information. Employers must keep genetic information about applicants and employees confidential and, if the information is in writing, must keep it apart from other personnel information in separate medical files.

What is the GINA law?

GINA prohibits the use of genetic information in making employment decisions, such as hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

Is it illegal to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on

It is also unlawful to retaliate against an individual for opposing employment practices that discriminate based on genetic information or for filing a discrimination charge, testifying, or participating in any way in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation under GINA. For example, it would be unlawful for an employer to transfer an employee to a less prestigious position after the employee complains of employer's attempt to acquire genetic information during a fitness for duty exam.

Can an employer request genetic information?

There are six very limited circumstances under which an employer may request, require, or purchase genetic information: Where the information is acquired inadvertently, in other words, accidentally; As part of a health or genetic service, such as a wellness program, that is provided by the employer on a voluntary basis;

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