LINTRODUCTION TO GENETICS tics ia biological science which deals withthe principles of heredity and variation | flerety refers tothe tansminsion of characters from parents to their offspring. Thus, genetics {science which unravels the inheritance of various chalacters fom one generation ta another: ‘The foundation of this new branch of biology was laid by Mendel in 186 when he liscovered the basic principles of heredity. However, Mende’ findings came into light only in 1900 when similar results were obtained independently by three scientists, vz, de Vres, Car CCorrensand Tschermak. Thus, eneties was born in 1900. "The term genetics was fist used by Bateson in 1905, i, five year, alrite bith, The ‘word genetics has been derived from the Greek word gene, which means to become or to grow: Since characters are governed by genes, gonetics is the study of structure, composition and function of gones BRANCHES OF GENETICS There ae several branches of genetics. These branches have been identified on the basis cofexperimental material used forthe study nd ee briefly described below Plant Genetics: It deals with inheritance of characters in various plant species. Microbial Genetics: deals with inheritance of alts in microorganisms ike bacteria,viruses and fungi ‘Animal Geneties deals with inheritance of traits in animals ‘Molecular Genetis:- It deals with the structure, composition, funtion and replication of chromosomes and genes, representing genetic material, vi, DNA and RNA. Biochemical Geneties:-It deals with the role of gens in controlling biochemical pathways in an organism Population Genetics: It deals with frequencies of genes and genotypes in population as well as with various agencies which tend to shor gene frequencies in @ population leading to evolutionary changes. Radiation Genetics. It deals with effects of various types of radiations on chromosomes and enes. * "Eugeatis. It deals withthe application of gente principles forthe betterment of human rec. Mendelian Genetics. It deals with the inheritance of qualitative characters oF oligogeniocharactrs which display discontinuous vaition,tative Genetics, It deals with the inheritance of po Aisplay continuous variation. This branch of genetics is also known as biometrcalgenetics or statistical geneies or mathematical geet. (Cytogenetics. Ideals with combined study of eytology and genetics. Euphenics. It deals with the control of hereditary diseases especially inborn erors of metabolism PRE-MENDELIAN CONCEPTS ABOUT HEREDITY Various views were prevailing about heredity before rediscovery of Mendel® laws of inheritance. Some ofthe important theaies oF concepts about the heredity which were proposed by various scientists prior o the discovery of Mendel are: ()preformation, (i) epigeness, 1) inheritance of acquired characters, (iv) pangenesis, and, (¥) germplasm theory, These are briefly presented belo (i Preformation Theory 4 “This theory was proposed by two Dutch biologists, Swammerdam and Bonnet (1720- 1793), This theory states that a miniature human called humunculus was already present inthe eg and sperm. In other words, a miniature human was preformed in the gametes, The evelopment of zygote resulted nly a the gros of miniature human who was already present in the egg and sperm, However, this theory was soon given up because this could not be proved scientifically iy Theory of Epizeness ‘This theory was advocated by Wolff (17381794), « German biologist. This theory ‘sates that egg or sperm cells donot contain miniature human. In other word, egg or sperm cells ate undifferentiated. The differentiation into various organs or parts tkes place only after {elation from te zygote resulting ito development of adult tissues and organs. This concept is known as epigenesis which is universally accepted. Gi) Theory of Acquired Characters 4 This concept was proposed by Lamarck (1744-1829), a French biologist. This theory states that new character once acquired by an individual shall pass on its progeny Itmeans if CIOMOICiotors O00 oo00c0°o °© PJ man develops song muscle by exersse al his children wil have stong muscle. On the other [J ec, person bosoms wes all his ehitren wil be weak, Ths theory was disproved by © PI Weismann ie out the wil of mice fr 22 successive generations and avays got the baby ioe PD win tat. Ths, his theory was soon gven up = ' (Gx) Theory of Pangenes _é ‘This theory was proposed by Charles Darwin (1803—1882), this theory states that very © PF sera, exact but invisible copies of each body organ (gemmutes) ae transported by the blood © Pf steam tothe sex organs. These invisible copies ofeach body organ ae called the gemmules. ©.) these gemmues are assembled in the gametes. After ferilization these gemules move out 10 COP aittcent pacts of the body resulting in the development of respective organ. A. defective Ud exmmule will ead tothe development of defective organ in an individual, This theory was given Pe ( © P orcermptasm theo ° This theory was advocated by August Wefsmann (1885), 2 German biologist This theory © [A sates tnt body tsues are of to pes, vie, germplasm end somatoplism. The germplasm © RY fers tote reproduce tissues o xls which produce gametes, The somtoplasm insides all o ‘other body tssues which are not related to sexual reproduction. Thus, transmission of characters © 2] from one generation to other takes plac ony through germplasm. Any change inthe gemma ‘il lead to change nthe next generation. This theory is accepted in «bros sense NETICISTS Several siensts have contributed for the advancement of genetes. A bret contribution of some enter geneticists is presented below: Mendel Gregor Johann) 4g. “He was an Austrian botanist who laid the foundation of the science of genetics. He ‘worked with garden geo (Pisum sativum) and formulated two important laws of inheritance, vi, (9) ta of sgregstion ang, (i) law oF independent assortment. For this pioneer werk hei rightly called as the father of genetics. He presented his results in two papers atthe meetings of Natural [Oe ee GE EEE EGE SE EO LE EEG RO AOA aNYGus Entise Rive Rober prize WinM Stenbse — Lith their major coveiteution fdiscovery . History Society on February § and March & in 1865 which were published in the prooseings of the socioty in 1866. However, his results were neglected for 34 years, Mendel died in 1884 end his work came into being after 16 yes, of his death in 1900 when same results were independently discovered by de Vries, Correns and Tachermak. Correns, Carl Erich ye He was a German botanist and geneticist who in 1900, independently but simultaneously ‘wih the biologists Tschermak (Austia) and Hugo de Vries rediscovered Mendel’ historic paper . outlining the principles of heredity. He conducted research with garden peas and cante tothe c same conclusions which were dravn by Mende in 1865. Later on, he worked with variegated c plans such as four O'clock (Mirabilis jalapa) end established the frst conclusive example of extrachromosomal or eytoplasmic Inheritance. Hlugo, de Vries 4 He was @ Dutch biologist and geneticist He rediscovered independently but ¢ simultaneously with Cortens and Tschermak in 1900 Mendel Laws of inheritance, Later on, c working with Osnothera lematekiana he eoined the term mutation for sudden heritable changes c inthe , Characters , c Tschermak, VSE. yy ‘He was an Austrian botanist and genetic. He was one of the codiscoverers of Mendes classic papers onthe garden pea. Working with garden pea, Tschermak sew a coss reference f0 ‘Mendel’ work and found that his results were in agreement with the findings of Mende. Inthe c same year 1900, when Tichermak reported his findings, Hugo de Vries snd Comens also reported ther discoveries of Mendels papers. Later on, he applied Mendel’ Laws of heredity in batley, wheatre hybrids and oats hybrids for development of new plats. Bateson, Willam and Punnett, RC. ‘He was a British biologist who coined the term Genetics in 1905. Bateson translated ‘Mendel’ paper ftom German into English and became Mendel’ champion in England. He ‘worked with pea end discovered the phenomena of linkage whichis now know tobe the result On00OO DO CODO