Gilchrist HW01 Assignment F2025
1) Ch 1 End of Chapter Problems (ECP): 5 with additional question: How does the
term locus fit in with the street, building, floor plan, analogy? & 33
2) Ch 2 ECP 1, 2, 8 b) c) & f), 10, 19, 23, 44, and 49
3) Completed Team Contracts
4) Discussion 2: Binomial Distribution Worksheets
Key
Ch 1 End of Chapter Problems (ECP):
#5: Define the terms allele, chromosome, and gene and explain how they relate to one
another. Develop an analogy between these terms and the process of using a street
map to locate a new apartment to live in next year (i.e., consider which term is
analogous to a street, which to a type of building, and which to an apartment floor
plan). How does the term locus fit in with the street, building, floor plan, analogy?
A chromosome is a single DNA molecule (plus associated chromatin proteins) that contains
genetic information of an organism organized in a linear manner). A chromosome includes genes
and other DNA sequences that are not genes. We can think of the chromosome as a street, such
as “Main Street”.
The term locus refers to a “genetic locus,” which is a specific location on a chromosome (i.e. the
gene’s address on the chromosome, “1024 Main Street”. Note that a locus, like an address, may
refer to no genes (an empty lot), part of a gene (an apartment # in an apartment building), an
entire gene (~ apartment building), many genes (a city block).
A gene is a genetic locus that contains all the information required for transcription of a specific
RNA product or DNA regulatory element. In many cases, the RNA is translated to produce a
specific protein, therefore, the gene is said to “code” for a protein. We can think of the gene
product as the type of building at the locus (residential, pre-war, duplex, 2 story cinder block
apartment complex, or 1920’s Craftsman).
An allele is a specific form or variant of a gene. For example, the normal allele of a gene (“wild
type”) will code for the normal version of a protein, whereas an null allele of that gene will code
for a non-functional form of a protein. The allele is analogous to the floor plan of a building
(e.g. Craftsman with original floor plan, renovated open floor plan, or converted into 2 1 bd room
apartments).
, +2.5 for each term describe and for analogy (10)
#33: It is common to study the biology and genetics of bacteria, yeast, fruit flies,and
mice to understand biological and genetic processes in humans. Why do you think this
is the case? +10
Genetic similarity – ~75% of genes that cause disease in humans are
homologous to those that cause disease in fruit flies. Mice also have a high
genetic similarity to humans with ~85% being identical between the two
mammals.
Genetic simplicity/speed-bacteria and yeast have simple genomes as
compared to humans so manipulation of genes within these organisms is
less difficult as compared to humans. In addition, reproduction in bacteria
and yeast takes place rapidly, which allows for the observation of
generations in a short time span.
One could also consider cost-effectiveness, ethical considerations, and
established protocols and genetic tools.
Ch 2 ECP
#1: Compare and contrast the following terms: (+10) a. dominant and recessive (+2)
b. genotype and phenotype c. homozygous and heterozygous d. monohybrid cross and
test cross e. dihybrid cross and trihybrid cross
1a. Dominant and recessive refer to phenotypes affected by alternative alleles at
a single genetic locus. Each phenotype is observed in an individual that is
homozygous for one of the alleles, but only the dominant phenotype is observed
in the heterozygote. In Mendel’s pea plants, seeds with the genotype GG were
yellow, gg were green, and Gg were yellow; therefore, yellow is dominant and
green is recessive.
1b. Genotype and phenotype are both properties of a cell or organism. Genotype
refers to the genetic makeup of the organism. Phenotype is an observable
property (or trait) of the organism, which is due to a combination of its genotype
and its environment. We typically limit discussion of genotype and phenotype to
1) Ch 1 End of Chapter Problems (ECP): 5 with additional question: How does the
term locus fit in with the street, building, floor plan, analogy? & 33
2) Ch 2 ECP 1, 2, 8 b) c) & f), 10, 19, 23, 44, and 49
3) Completed Team Contracts
4) Discussion 2: Binomial Distribution Worksheets
Key
Ch 1 End of Chapter Problems (ECP):
#5: Define the terms allele, chromosome, and gene and explain how they relate to one
another. Develop an analogy between these terms and the process of using a street
map to locate a new apartment to live in next year (i.e., consider which term is
analogous to a street, which to a type of building, and which to an apartment floor
plan). How does the term locus fit in with the street, building, floor plan, analogy?
A chromosome is a single DNA molecule (plus associated chromatin proteins) that contains
genetic information of an organism organized in a linear manner). A chromosome includes genes
and other DNA sequences that are not genes. We can think of the chromosome as a street, such
as “Main Street”.
The term locus refers to a “genetic locus,” which is a specific location on a chromosome (i.e. the
gene’s address on the chromosome, “1024 Main Street”. Note that a locus, like an address, may
refer to no genes (an empty lot), part of a gene (an apartment # in an apartment building), an
entire gene (~ apartment building), many genes (a city block).
A gene is a genetic locus that contains all the information required for transcription of a specific
RNA product or DNA regulatory element. In many cases, the RNA is translated to produce a
specific protein, therefore, the gene is said to “code” for a protein. We can think of the gene
product as the type of building at the locus (residential, pre-war, duplex, 2 story cinder block
apartment complex, or 1920’s Craftsman).
An allele is a specific form or variant of a gene. For example, the normal allele of a gene (“wild
type”) will code for the normal version of a protein, whereas an null allele of that gene will code
for a non-functional form of a protein. The allele is analogous to the floor plan of a building
(e.g. Craftsman with original floor plan, renovated open floor plan, or converted into 2 1 bd room
apartments).
, +2.5 for each term describe and for analogy (10)
#33: It is common to study the biology and genetics of bacteria, yeast, fruit flies,and
mice to understand biological and genetic processes in humans. Why do you think this
is the case? +10
Genetic similarity – ~75% of genes that cause disease in humans are
homologous to those that cause disease in fruit flies. Mice also have a high
genetic similarity to humans with ~85% being identical between the two
mammals.
Genetic simplicity/speed-bacteria and yeast have simple genomes as
compared to humans so manipulation of genes within these organisms is
less difficult as compared to humans. In addition, reproduction in bacteria
and yeast takes place rapidly, which allows for the observation of
generations in a short time span.
One could also consider cost-effectiveness, ethical considerations, and
established protocols and genetic tools.
Ch 2 ECP
#1: Compare and contrast the following terms: (+10) a. dominant and recessive (+2)
b. genotype and phenotype c. homozygous and heterozygous d. monohybrid cross and
test cross e. dihybrid cross and trihybrid cross
1a. Dominant and recessive refer to phenotypes affected by alternative alleles at
a single genetic locus. Each phenotype is observed in an individual that is
homozygous for one of the alleles, but only the dominant phenotype is observed
in the heterozygote. In Mendel’s pea plants, seeds with the genotype GG were
yellow, gg were green, and Gg were yellow; therefore, yellow is dominant and
green is recessive.
1b. Genotype and phenotype are both properties of a cell or organism. Genotype
refers to the genetic makeup of the organism. Phenotype is an observable
property (or trait) of the organism, which is due to a combination of its genotype
and its environment. We typically limit discussion of genotype and phenotype to
