Table of contents

1. Introduction to Genetics51m
2. Mendel's Laws of Inheritance3h 37m
3. Extensions to Mendelian Inheritance2h 41m
4. Genetic Mapping and Linkage2h 28m
5. Genetics of Bacteria and Viruses1h 21m
6. Chromosomal Variation1h 48m
7. DNA and Chromosome Structure56m
8. DNA Replication1h 10m
9. Mitosis and Meiosis1h 34m
10. Transcription1h 0m
11. Translation58m
12. Gene Regulation in Prokaryotes1h 19m
13. Gene Regulation in Eukaryotes44m
14. Genetic Control of Development44m
15. Genomes and Genomics1h 50m
16. Transposable Elements47m
17. Mutation, Repair, and Recombination1h 6m
18. Molecular Genetic Tools19m
- Genetic Cloning
  9m
- Methods for Analyzing DNA
  9m
19. Cancer Genetics29m
- Overview of Cancer
  21m
- Cancer Mutations
  7m
20. Quantitative Genetics1h 26m
21. Population Genetics50m
- Hardy Weinberg
  19m
- Allelic Frequency Changes
  31m
22. Evolutionary Genetics29m

15. Genomes and Genomics

Overview of Genomics

Genetics

15. Genomes and Genomics

Overview of Genomics

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1:25 minutes

Problem 1c

Textbook Question

What evidence supports the concept that humans share substantial sequence similarities and gene functional similarities with model organisms?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of sequence similarity: Sequence similarity refers to the degree to which nucleotide or amino acid sequences are conserved between different organisms. This conservation often indicates shared ancestry and functional importance.

Examine comparative genomics studies: Researchers have compared the human genome with genomes of model organisms such as mice, fruit flies, and yeast. These studies reveal that humans share a significant percentage of their genes with these organisms, indicating evolutionary conservation.

Analyze functional gene studies: Functional studies show that many genes in model organisms perform similar roles in humans. For example, genes involved in basic cellular processes like DNA replication, transcription, and translation are highly conserved across species.

Consider experimental evidence: Experiments using model organisms, such as gene knockouts or mutations, often produce phenotypes that are analogous to human conditions. This supports the idea that gene functions are conserved across species.

Review evolutionary reasoning: The concept of common descent explains why humans and model organisms share substantial sequence and functional similarities. Over time, evolutionary processes have preserved essential genes and pathways that are critical for survival and reproduction.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genomic Similarity

Genomic similarity refers to the degree of genetic sequence alignment between different organisms. This concept is crucial for understanding evolutionary relationships, as closely related species tend to have more similar DNA sequences. Comparative genomics utilizes this similarity to identify conserved genes and regulatory elements, providing insights into shared biological functions and evolutionary history.

Model Organisms

Model organisms are non-human species that are extensively studied to understand biological processes, due to their genetic, biological, or behavioral characteristics. Common examples include mice, fruit flies, and zebrafish. Research on these organisms often reveals fundamental biological principles that can be extrapolated to humans, highlighting the functional similarities in genes and pathways across species.

Functional Genomics

Functional genomics is the field of study that focuses on understanding the relationship between genes and their functions. It employs techniques such as transcriptomics and proteomics to analyze gene expression and protein interactions. By comparing these functional aspects across species, researchers can identify conserved functions and pathways, supporting the idea that humans share significant biological similarities with model organisms.

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