By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the different steps in RNA processing
Understand the significance of exons, introns, and splicing for mRNAs
Explain how tRNAs and rRNAs are processed
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the different steps in protein synthesis
Discuss the role of ribosomes in protein synthesis
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Explain the “central dogma” of DNA-protein synthesis
Describe the genetic code and how the nucleotide sequence prescribes the amino acid and the protein sequence
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Explain that meiosis and sexual reproduction are highly evolved traits
Identify variation among offspring as a potential evolutionary advantage of sexual reproduction
Describe the three different life-cycle types among sexually reproducing multicellular organisms.
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the behavior of chromosomes during meiosis, and the differences between the first and second meiotic divisions
Describe the cellular events that take place during meiosis
Explain the differences between meiosis and mitosis
Explain the mechanisms within the meiotic process that produce genetic variation among the haploid gametes
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Explain the relationship between genotypes and phenotypes in dominant and recessive gene systems
Develop a Punnett square to calculate the expected proportions of genotypes and phenotypes in a monohybrid cross
Explain the purpose and methods of a test cross
Identify non-Mendelian inheritance patterns such as incomplete dominance, codominance, recessive lethals, multiple alleles, and sex linkage
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Explain Mendel’s law of segregation and independent assortment in terms of genetics and the events of meiosis
Use the forked-line method and the probability rules to calculate the probability of genotypes and phenotypes from multiple gene crosses
Explain the effect of linkage and recombination on gamete genotypes
Explain the phenotypic outcomes of epistatic effects between genes
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the scientific reasons for the success of Mendel’s experimental work
Describe the expected outcomes of monohybrid crosses involving dominant and recessive alleles
Apply the sum and product rules to calculate probabilities
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe how a karyogram is created
Explain how nondisjunction leads to disorders in chromosome number
Compare disorders that aneuploidy causes
Describe how errors in chromosome structure occur through inversions and translocations
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Discuss Sutton’s Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance
Describe genetic linkage
Explain the process of homologous recombination, or crossing over
Describe chromosome creation
Calculate the distances between three genes on a chromosome using a three-point test cross
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Identify the parts of a typical leaf
Describe the internal structure and function of a leaf
Compare and contrast simple leaves and compound leaves
List and describe examples of modified leaves
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe how red and blue light affect plant growth and metabolic activities
Discuss gravitropism
Understand how hormones affect plant growth and development
Describe thigmotropism, thigmonastism, and thigmogenesis
Explain how plants defend themselves from predators and respond to wounds
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Identify the two types of root systems
Describe the three zones of the root tip and summarize the role of each zone in root growth
Describe the structure of the root
List and describe examples of modified roots
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the main function and basic structure of stems
Compare and contrast the roles of dermal tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue
Distinguish between primary growth and secondary growth in stems
Summarize the origin of annual rings
List and describe examples of modified stems
By the end of this section, you will be able to do the following:
Describe the shoot organ system and the root organ system
Distinguish between meristematic tissue and permanent tissue
Identify and describe the three regions where plant growth occurs
Summarize the roles of dermal tissue, vascular tissue, and ground tissue
Compare simple plant tissue with complex plant tissue
