Guided Lecture Notes
Chapter 3: Genetic Control of Cell Function and Inheritance
Learning Objective 1. Describe the structure of a gene.

Explain how DNA is configured (refer to PowerPoint Slide 2 and Fig. 3-1).

Describe the function of each DNA component.

Explain the function of DNA proteins.
Learning Objective 2. Explain the mechanisms by which genes control cell function
(refer to Fig. 3-3).

Explain genetic transcription that occurs between DNA and mRNA (refer to
PowerPoint Slide 3).

Explain genetic translation and the assembly of a protein by rRNA (refer to
PowerPoint Slide 6).

Describe how amino acids necessary for protein synthesis are delivered to the
cytoplasm by tRNA (refer to PowerPoint Slide 7).
Learning Objective 3. Describe the genetic code, including the following terms: bases,
codon, and stop codes.

Identify the four bases that comprise the genetic code (refer to Table 3-1).

Define codon, and describe its function.

Explain the importance of stop codes.
Learning Objective 4. Name the three types of RNA and describe their roles in protein
synthesis.

Describe the location and function of messenger RNA.

Describe the location and function of ribosomal RNA.

Describe the location and function of transfer RNA.
Learning Objective 5. Describe the concepts of induction and repression as they apply
to gene function.

Using examples, explain the general concept of genetic expression.

Using examples, describe gene induction (refer to PowerPoint Slide 26).

Using examples, describe gene repression (refer to PowerPoint Slide 26).
Learning Objective 6. Describe the pathogenesis of gene mutation.

Define genetic mutation.

List the causes of mutation.

Identify the type of mutation that is inherited.

Define polymorphism.

Discuss the possible effects of mutation on the organism.
Learning Objective 7. Define the terms autosomes, meiosis, and mitosis.

Differentiate between autosomes and sex chromosomes.

Compare and contrast cell division via mitosis and meiosis (refer to PowerPoint
Slides 13 and 14, Figures 3-6 and 3-7).
Learning Objective 8. Explain the significance of the Barr body.

Define Barr body.

Explain how the number of Barr bodies can determine the sex of a child.
Learning Objective 9. Explain the process of constructing a karyotype using cytogenic
studies.

Define cytogenetics.

Describe karyotype, and discuss the significance of karyotyping (refer to Fig. 35).
Learning Objective 10. Contrast genotype and phenotype.

Using examples, describe genotype (refer to PowerPoint Slide 23).

Using examples, describe phenotype (refer to PowerPoint Slide 23).
Learning Objective 11. Define the terms expressivity, penetrance, locus, allele, and
epistasis.

Explain the difference between penetrance and expressivity.

Using examples, discuss how alleles affect penetrance and expressivity.

Define and give examples of epistasis.
Learning Objective 12. Construct a hypothetical pedigree for a recessive and dominant
trait according to Mendel’s law utilizing a Punnett square.

Using a variety of examples, construct Punnett squares to portray family histories
for specific traits (refer to PowerPoint Slide 20 and Fig. 3-10).
Learning Objective 13. Define genomic mapping.

Describe genomic mapping as a means to assign genes to parts of chromosomes.

Identify the most important examples of genomic mapping.

Discuss the Human Genome Project and its implications.
Learning Objective 14. Briefly describe the methods used in linkage studies, dosage
studies, and hybridization studies.

Using an example, describe linkage studies, and explain their significance.

Using an example, describe dosage studies, and explain their significance.

Using an example, describe hybridization studies, and explain their significance.