5.5, inheritance patterns Flashcards
what are conservation genetics and what is the aim of collecting data in it
incorporates an understanding of how genes are inherited in a population into the conservation of endangered species
What is the aim?
* To avoid extinction of species by
applying conservation methods that ensure maintenance of biodiversity. These include breeding programs.
how was information gathered in the past in regard to conservation genetics
- By field observation, sampling and
statistical analysis with focus on
distribution and abundance
what type of information is gathered by conservation geneticists?
Genetic data is gathered and used to make informed decisions about protecting populations nearing extinction
what is a past event that develops models to assist in the conservation of endangered species
the wooly mammoth
In 2015, scientists completed a complete DNA sequence to compare 2 historical samples of the woolly mammoth to determine whether there was a reduction in genetic diversity due to inbreeding.
One sample was from a 45,000-year-old specimen that had lived on the Siberian mainland and the other was from a 4,300-year-old mammoth found on Wrangel Island in the Arctic.
what findings were made from the data collected on wooly mammoths
series of detrimental mutations e.g. some reduced the urinary proteins (less variety)and scent, which would have reduced their ability to mark and recognise territory, hunt and mate.
Another 2 mutations were found that would have given the Island mammoths a translucent, cream coloured coat which would have reduced its insulating properties – important in ice age climates
Isolation on Wrangel Island and inbreeding made these mammoths more susceptible to disease and reduced their ability to survive in their environment.
Their numbers fell from tens of 1000’s to 1000.
what is the benefit of such data in regard to the wooly mammoth
develop breeding programs that will avoid the passing on of detrimental mutations in modern- day populations to prevent their numbers from decreasing in the future.
what is human evolution and what is the aim of collecting data in it
- explains the causes of human diversity in the past and present
- The evolutionary forces of mutation, natural selection, genetic drift and gene flow are responsible for diversity in human populations today.
- the frequency of alleles in a population are measures of this diversity.
- Mathematical population models allow scientists to interpret genetic diversity and predict genetic patterns associated with human evolution.
- Anthropological genetics combines components of population genetics such as DNA analysis with historical, archaeological evidence to determine the pathways of human evolution
what is muliregional hypothesis
an explanation about the evolution of humans suggesting that modern humans (Homo sapiens) didn’t arise from a single population in a specific place (like Africa) and then spread out. Instead, it proposes that different populations of early humans in various parts of the world, like Africa, Europe, and Asia, evolved independently but also intermixed
what data does multiregional hypothesis rely on
fossil evidence
A migration happened around 1 million years ago, and ancient humans occupied different parts of the old world; similarities is due to inbreeding between different populations
how is the data of inheritance of disease collected and why is it importance
- Genetic testing for the presence of the SNP’s that are unique to a particular disease can be carried out quickly and easily
- Most of these conditions are genetic.
- They assist in generating data about the occurrence of specific genetic conditions in the population
provide an example of data assisting the inheritance of a disease
In NSW the Newborn Screening Program provides free genetic tests for all newborns for the SNP’s associated with congenital diseases.
