BIO101: Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology

Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• Explain how information flows, at the molecular level, from genotype to phenotype.
• Define mutation and explain how mutations can result in an altered phenotype.
• Given information about parents' genotypes or phenotypes, provide expected probabilities for offspring genotypes and phenotypes.
• Define and apply the following terms: genotype, phenotype, homozygous, heterozygous, dominant, recessive, co-dominant, and sex-linkage.
• Given a pedigree, infer whether the trait in the diagram is dominant or recessive, and indicate individual genotypes when possible.
• Solve genetic problems involving monohybrid crosses with dominant and recessive traits, codominant traits, and sex-linked traits.
• Solve genetic problems involving dihybrid crosses with dominant and recessive traits, codominant traits, and sex-linked traits.
• Explain how a mutation, such as that in sickle cell, can result in a changed phenotype.
• Explain how natural selection can maintain traits like sickle cell that seem detrimental.
• Given a pedigree, infer whether the trait in the diagram is dominant or recessive.
• Given a medical or social situation related to genetics, apply genetic principles to both sides of the issue (e.g., "should the NCAA require sickle cell testing?" or "should two people with sickle cell trait have children?")