Genetics
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course main goal is providing the student with the basic knowledge on how genetic information is used to produce the phenotype and inherited through the generations, in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. It also provides information on the structure and changes of the hereditary material from a molecular standpoint, emphasizing the evolutionary implications of those changes. The student will understand the basic principles of population genetics and the role they play in the evolution and differentiation of species.
Expected learning outcomes
Students are going to acquire a basic knowledge of the analysis of Mendelian genetic traits and will develop skills in the construction of genetic maps and about the necessary tools to correlate mutations in genes and genomes with effects at the level of the gene product and the phenotype.
Moreover, the student will acquire knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms leading to mutations and she/he will be able to evaluate the effect of those mutations on the phenotype of an individual and on how they might affect its fitness.
Moreover, the student will acquire knowledge concerning the molecular mechanisms leading to mutations and she/he will be able to evaluate the effect of those mutations on the phenotype of an individual and on how they might affect its fitness.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
- Physical basis of inheritance. Chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis and biological cycles of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Cell cycle. Identification of DNA as genetic material. Structure and replication of DNA.
- Trait transmission. Mendelian inheritance: segregation and independent trait assortment. Multiple alleles. Statistical processing of Mendelian segregation. Analysis of Mendelian inheritance in humans: family trees. Blood grouping and of paternity tests. Sex-related inheritance. Genetic determination of sex.
- Chromosomal theory of inheritance, linkage and recombination. Meiotic crossing-over. Genes mapping in diploid organisms. Map distance and genetic map construction.
- Function of the gene: metabolic pathways and hypothesis a gene-an enzyme. Gene interaction. Genetic complementation. Intragenic recombination.
- Genetics of microorganisms: haploid bacteria. Mutants in bacteria and their selection.
- Plasmids. Factor F and its characteristics. Factor F' and construction of partial diploids.
- Cloning vectors and techniques.
- Transcription into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure of the prokaryotes and eukaryotes gene. RNA maturation in eukaryotes.
- Protein synthesis, genetic code and its characteristics.
- Changes in genome structure. Gene mutations: molecular basis of mutations and their frequency. Reversion and suppression of mutations.
- Chromosome mutations: deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Genomic mutations: euploidy and aneuploidy. Autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy.
- Mutagens, induced mutation and DNA repair mechanisms.
- Positive and negative gene regulation in prokaryotes.
- Population genetics. Genetic structure of populations. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Variation of gene frequencies: mutation, selection, migration and genetic drift.
- Trait transmission. Mendelian inheritance: segregation and independent trait assortment. Multiple alleles. Statistical processing of Mendelian segregation. Analysis of Mendelian inheritance in humans: family trees. Blood grouping and of paternity tests. Sex-related inheritance. Genetic determination of sex.
- Chromosomal theory of inheritance, linkage and recombination. Meiotic crossing-over. Genes mapping in diploid organisms. Map distance and genetic map construction.
- Function of the gene: metabolic pathways and hypothesis a gene-an enzyme. Gene interaction. Genetic complementation. Intragenic recombination.
- Genetics of microorganisms: haploid bacteria. Mutants in bacteria and their selection.
- Plasmids. Factor F and its characteristics. Factor F' and construction of partial diploids.
- Cloning vectors and techniques.
- Transcription into prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Structure of the prokaryotes and eukaryotes gene. RNA maturation in eukaryotes.
- Protein synthesis, genetic code and its characteristics.
- Changes in genome structure. Gene mutations: molecular basis of mutations and their frequency. Reversion and suppression of mutations.
- Chromosome mutations: deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations.
- Genomic mutations: euploidy and aneuploidy. Autopolyploidy and allopolyploidy.
- Mutagens, induced mutation and DNA repair mechanisms.
- Positive and negative gene regulation in prokaryotes.
- Population genetics. Genetic structure of populations. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Variation of gene frequencies: mutation, selection, migration and genetic drift.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of biology and of the principles of statistics
Teaching methods
The course consists of lectures and theoretical exercises. The lectures will be accompanied by the projection of slides and short videos. Theoretical exercises are designed to help students further understand the topics covered in class by solving genetic problems.
The course material and exercises will be made available through the Ariel platform.
The course material and exercises will be made available through the Ariel platform.
Teaching Resources
· Binelli & Ghisotti + AA.VV. Genetica, Edises (2017)
· Snustad e Simmons, Principi di Genetica, EdiSes, 5 ed. 2014
· Russell, Genetica, Un approccio molecolare, Pearson, 4 ed. 2014
· Griffith et al. Genetica, 7° ed. Zanichelli 2013
· Snustad e Simmons, Principi di Genetica, EdiSes, 5 ed. 2014
· Russell, Genetica, Un approccio molecolare, Pearson, 4 ed. 2014
· Griffith et al. Genetica, 7° ed. Zanichelli 2013
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is intended to assess the student's ability to apply the notions learnt during the course. The examination consists of a written test comprising multiple choice questions and the solving of genetic problems with elements of theory.
The questions cover the entire course topics, time available 1.5-2 hours. For students attending the course lectures, it is possible to split the examination into two parts: the first, which is taken in the middle of the course, assesses the knowledge acquired in formal genetics; the second, which must be taken during one of the February session examination dates, covers the topics treated in the second half of the course. If both exams are sufficient, the final grade, expressed in thirtieths, is given by the average of the two partials.
Any additional information on examination and assessment methods will be explained at the beginning of the course.
The questions cover the entire course topics, time available 1.5-2 hours. For students attending the course lectures, it is possible to split the examination into two parts: the first, which is taken in the middle of the course, assesses the knowledge acquired in formal genetics; the second, which must be taken during one of the February session examination dates, covers the topics treated in the second half of the course. If both exams are sufficient, the final grade, expressed in thirtieths, is given by the average of the two partials.
Any additional information on examination and assessment methods will be explained at the beginning of the course.
BIO/18 - GENETICS - University credits: 8
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 52 hours
Lessons: 52 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences