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Genetics Info & Tutorial: Glossary & Links |
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Thanks for reading this tutorial. It may take a few times of going through it to become more comfortable with everything mentioned here. The Cornsnake Morph Guide offers another presentation of genetics, one which has earned a lot of praise, along with plenty of other information about morphology. If you have comments regarding the accuracy of anything, or a certain area in the tutorial where it seemed to suddenly jump way too far ahead and you got lost, I’d appreciate any feedback. Email any comments to serpwidgets@hotmail.com |
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Links |
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A-what-istic??? - a very quick & easy explanation of the names given to color mutations. VMS Herp Learning Center - This site has a very nice “Learning Center” that walks through some neat genetics stuff, and has interesting in-depth info on the nature of color mutations. Go see for yourself. |
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Glossary |
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Amino acid - the main building blocks of proteins, which are chained together in many different ways to create many different proteins. Allele - Any of the different versions of a gene that may occur at a certain locus. Examples are the wild-type, striped, and motley gene for that one locus. Base pair - A pair of complementary bases which are some of the building blocks of DNA. Chromosome - A large string or clump of DNA. These are paired in animals, and humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. Codominant - Genes that, when present together, will both influence the appearances of the same trait. Codon - A sequence of 3 base pairs that codes for either a specific amino acid, or the end of a protein, known as a “stop codon.” DNA - The substance that the genetic code is built with, and is a component of codons, genes, and chromosomes. Dominant - A gene that will keep other genes in the same locus from affecting the appearance of a trait in the animal. Enzyme - Proteins that catalyze certain chemical processes in living cells. Gene - A string of base pairs (DNA) that is the smallest unit of genetic inheritance. Genotype - The genetic makeup of an animal, usually referring to the absence or presence of specific genes of interest. Heterozygous - When both corresponding genes for one locus are different versions. Homozygous - When both corresponding genes for one locus are the same version. Locus - A specific “slot” on a chromosome which corresponds to a certain location, kind of like an address to a certain house. Different genes in the same locus can control one or more traits. A locus is generally referred to as the gene “for” a certain trait. Mutation - An alteration of one or more genes. Generally these are interesting when they cause a change in the phenotype of an animal. Phenotype - The appearance of an animal, which is generally dependent on its genotype. Protein - A chain of amino acids. There are many different proteins which can perform many different functions in the body. Punnett Square - Named after Reginald C. Punnett, a method of predicting the outcome of a mating by determining what possible outcomes there can be, and how likely each one is. Recessive - A gene that must be present in the homozygous state in order for its corresponding trait to appear. Trait - a characteristic, such as a certain distinct appearance, that can be inherited |
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