Genetics and Evolution

Course material:

Textbooks to follow:

Pierce, B. A. (2012). Genetics: a conceptual approach. Macmillan. 4th ed.
Snustad, D. P., & Simmons, M. J. (2015). Principles of genetics. John Wiley & Sons. 7th ed.

The lecture slides are supplementary material and do not cover the entire syllabus. Certain topics were discussed in the classroom using chalk-board and they are not included in these slides.

Genetics and Evolution_lect slides_upload_Oct2024.pdf

CE1: Topic presentations

General guidelines

You may present in groups of up to two students. Lone wolves are welcome!
Choose any one topic from the given list and convey it to me using the google form (link here).
In case of groups of two, please make two separate entries (one per student).
No two groups should have the same topic.
Topic selection is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Preparing a presentation is not necessary; you are welcome to use chalk and board or explain the concept using your oratory skills.
You have four minutes to explain the concept and one minute to answer questions. In case of group of two: five minutes to explain, two minutes to answer (one min per person).

Guidelines for the presentation

Prepare upto four slides per presentation.
First slide should include: title or the chosen topic, name of the course, your name, roll number, and date of the presentation. (If you are not using slides, then this information should be conveyed at the beginning of the presentation)
You are free to choose the title related to your topic (be creative).
If you choose the title, then please mention the topic on the first slide.
Negative marking if you exceed the time and/or number of slides.
Do not use animation; submit the slides in PDF format.
Submit the slides at least one day before the presentation. Last minute changes/submissions will not be entertained and such submissions will be scheduled on the next day/class.
Submission using the same google form (link here).

Topics to choose from:

Note: I strongly suggest you choose from these topics; however, if you want to present any concept apart from these topics, please catch me after class or email me for permission. Topics that are not conveyed in advance will not be entertained on the day of the presentation.

Basics of genetics

Three milestones in genetics
Applications of genetics in agriculture
Application of genetics in medicine
Basics of Mendelian genetics: 3 principles
Why are some mutations dominant and others are recessive?

Extra-Mendelian genetics

Mendelian inheritance vs cytoplasmic inheritance
Incomplete dominance vs co-dominance
Why do we not see dominant lethal mutations?
Environmental effect on gene expression
Gene penetrance and expressivity
Many gene, one phenotype: epistasis
One gene, many phenotype: pleiotropy

Quantitative and experimental genetics

Applications of Mendelian principles: Fork-line method
Application of Mendelian principles: Probability methods
Testing genetic hypothesis using Chi-square test
Measuring genetic relatedness: Inbreeding and inbreeding coefficient
Experimental evidence linking the inheritance of genes to chromosomes
Experimental evidence of DNA as genetic material for bacteria (Griffith experiment)
Cytological techniques: Karyotyping

Sex-linked inheritance

Science behind calico cats (dosage compensation)
Sex-linked inheritance of Hemophilia
Sex linked inheritance of colour blindness
Sex determination in humans
Sex determination in other animals (including Drosophila)

Evolution

Linking genetics to process of evolution
Is evolution fact or theory?
What are the evidence of the theory of natural selection?
Theories of evolution

Grading scheme (20 marks)

8: Clarity of the concept

4: Presentation and delivery

4: Ability to answer the questions asked (correct answer is not needed, but right approach is a must).

2: Attendance and classroom involvement on the days of presentations.

2: Overall attendance and classroom involvement

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