Weird Genetics
What happens if there is a mistake
in the order of the bases on the
protein?
Mutations
A change in genetic
information
Mutations occur when there is a error
in the order of the amino acids on the
protein.
•Can occur randomly (naturally)
•Or can be deliberately caused in the
laboratory by scientists
•Inherited
•Not always harmful
Ex. Deletion, substitution, insertion
(extra)
Ex. Sickle cell anemia
http://www.accessexcellence.org/
Mutagen
• Is a physical or chemical agent that causes a
mutation in DNA.
Ex. Radiaton
Genetic Counselor
• Is a person that provides information on
genetics to couples who wish to have
children when they are worried about
passing on diseases.
Hello,
I’ am Ms. Jacobs!
Natural Mutations
ALBINOS
• Little or no pigmentation in the eyes, skin, and
hair (or in some cases in the eyes alone).
• Inherited an altered copy of a gene that does not
work correctly.
• The altered gene does not allow the body to
make the usual amounts of a pigment called
"melanin".
• True albinos have pink eyes and skin.
White Bengal
Tiger
These are not
albinos; they
have pigmented
eyes.
HUMAN INTERVENTION
Designer Genes
Selective Breeding
Ex. Different dog
breeds
Genetic Engineering
Ex. Dolly the cloned
sheep
SELECTIVE BREEDING
The selection of certain
seeds or animals for
reproduction in order to
influence the traits inherited
by the next generation.
Pedigree
• The diagram that shows a family trait
moving generations.
DAD
MOM
SELECTIVE BREEDING
• The Liger is the result of breeding a female Tiger to a
male Lion.
• The liger has both stripes and spots. The stripes are
inherited from its tiger parent and the spots from the lion
parent.
• On their hind legs, ligers stand approximately 12 feet
tall. At most, ligers may weigh up to 1,000 pounds.
The Cama is the result of breeding a Llama
to a Camel.
Parents in background of picture.
The Zebroid is the result of
breeding
a female Horse and a male
Zebra.
The Zedonk / Zonkey is
the result of breeding
a female Donkey and
male Zebra.
Geep - These are the result of a sheep
and a goat.
The Mule is the result of breeding a female horse
(mare) to a male donkey (jack). The
mule is superior to the horse in strength,
endurance, intelligence and disease resistance.
GENETIC ENGINEERING
The selective, deliberate change of
genes (genetic material) by man.
The technique of removing,
modifying or adding genes to a
DNA molecule in order to change
the information it contains.
Bright face of genetically modified corn plant: pestinfected non-GM (left) and pest-free GM plant (right)
planted side-by-side in a field trial. (photo: Dr. Yu Jialin,
China Agricultural University)
French genetic researchers genetically modified Alba for artist
Eduardo Kac. Thanks to genes borrowed from a jellyfish, the
albino rabbit glows green when placed under special lighting. In
regular light, Alba appears like any other furry white rabbit. But
place her under a black light, and her eyes, whiskers and fur glow
a otherworldly green.
"Glow in the dark" fish. these genetically modified
fish were developed by a Taiwanese aquatic firm,
Taikong Group. They are planning to reproduce
these fish in numbers and sell them for pets.
Scientists in the agriculture department of the
Hebrew University in Rehovot have genetically
engineered a chicken that has no feathers.
Think About It:
If you were going to breed
two animals together,
what would you pick and
why? What traits of each
parent animal do you
think it would keep?