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 can be attended as a single course.
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 purpose of the exam is to assess the student's ability to apply the knowledge acquired in the course. In particular, it will assess the student's acquisition of basic knowledge about the mode of transmission and expression of genetic information, the structure of genetic material, and the effect of mutations in both evolutionary and functional terms. Finally, the acquisition of basic knowledge of population genetics will be assessed. The exam consists of a written test that includes multiple choice questions and genetic problem solving with elements of theory. The questions cover the entire content of the course, with a time limit of 1.5 hours.
For students in attendance, it is possible to divide the exam into two tests: the first, to be taken during the first semester break, assesses the knowledge acquired in formal genetics; the second, to be taken during one of the February session exams, focuses on the topics covered in the second half of the course.
If both tests are passed, the final grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be the average of the two parts.
Any additional information about examination and grading methods will be explained at the beginning of the course.
For students in attendance, it is possible to divide the exam into two tests: the first, to be taken during the first semester break, assesses the knowledge acquired in formal genetics; the second, to be taken during one of the February session exams, focuses on the topics covered in the second half of the course.
If both tests are passed, the final grade, expressed in thirtieths, will be the average of the two parts.
Any additional information about examination and grading 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:
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email request
2nd floor, C building, Dept. of Biosciences