The scientific study of heredity is called

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The Scientific Study of Heredity: Genetics

Introduction to Heredity and Genetics

Heredity is the biological process through which parents pass on traits to their offspring, either through sexual or asexual reproduction. This fundamental concept explains why offspring resemble their parents and why there is variation among individuals of the same species. The scientific study of heredity is known as genetics, a field that seeks to understand the mechanisms behind the transmission of traits and the variation observed among individuals 23.

Historical Development of Genetics

Early Philosophical and Biological Roots

The concept of heredity has deep philosophical roots, dating back to antiquity when it was intertwined with questions about the nature and origin of substances. In the 18th century, the study of reproduction and development was referred to as "the science of generation," highlighting the early attempts to understand how traits are passed from one generation to the next .

Mendelian Genetics

The scientific study of heredity took a significant leap forward with the work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century. Mendel's experiments with pea plants led to the formulation of the laws of inheritance, which describe how traits are transmitted from parents to offspring through discrete units later known as genes. This marked the beginning of modern genetics, shifting the field from theoretical to experimental science .

Key Concepts in Genetics

Chromosomal Theory of Inheritance

The chromosomal theory of inheritance, which emerged in the early 20th century, posits that genes are located on chromosomes, which are the carriers of genetic information. This theory was supported by extensive research on the behavior of chromosomes during cell division and fertilization, providing a physical basis for Mendel's laws .

Transmission Genetics

Transmission genetics focuses on how genes are passed from parents to offspring. This subfield of genetics includes the study of Mendelian inheritance patterns and the mechanisms of genetic recombination and segregation during meiosis .

Population Genetics

Population genetics examines the distribution and changes in frequency of genes within populations. It combines principles of genetics and evolutionary biology to understand how genetic variation is maintained or altered in populations over time .

Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics delves into the molecular structure and function of genes. It explores how genetic information is encoded, replicated, and expressed, and how mutations can affect these processes. Advances in molecular genetics have been pivotal in understanding the genetic basis of diseases and in developing genetic technologies .

Modern Advances and Techniques

Human Genome Project

The completion of the Human Genome Project in the early 21st century was a landmark achievement in genetics. It provided a comprehensive map of the human genome, identifying thousands of genes and their functions. This project has paved the way for advancements in genetic testing, personalized medicine, and biotechnology .

Next-Generation Sequencing

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized genetic research by allowing rapid and cost-effective sequencing of entire genomes. NGS has accelerated the discovery of genetic variants associated with diseases and has enhanced our understanding of genetic diversity .

Conclusion

Genetics, the scientific study of heredity, has evolved from philosophical inquiries to a robust scientific discipline. It encompasses various subfields, including transmission genetics, population genetics, and molecular genetics, each contributing to our understanding of how traits are inherited and how genetic variation arises. With ongoing advancements in genetic technologies, the field continues to expand, offering new insights into the complexities of heredity and its implications for human health and evolution.

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Most relevant research papers on this topic

The Physical Basis of Heredity

The Physical Basis of Heredity is a masterful account of recent work on the physical basis of inheritance, focusing on chromosomes of germ-cells and explaining recent subtleties.

Highly Cited

1886·

92citations

·C. Minot

Chip Off the Old Block: Generation, Development, and Ancestral Concepts of Heredity

The study of heredity traces the evolution of ideas from various knowledge domains, revealing the interdependent nature of genetic prehistory.

2022·

3citations

·P. Poczai et al.

Principles of Genetics

This third edition provides a complete and well-illustrated introduction to genetics for biological students, with a focus on crossing-over and the chromosome theory of heredity.

Highly Cited

1951·

631citations

·Karen L. Lancour

The Genotype Conception of Heredity

The concept of heredity in biology is based on the concept of genotype, which is the genetic information that determines the characteristics of individuals.

Highly Cited

1911·

487citations

·American Naturalist et al.

SOME RECENT STUDIES ON HEREDITY.

This method, which involves observing the effects of heredity in hybrid forms, is crucial for understanding the evolution of species and the development of new genetic methods.

1907·

0citations

·E. Wilson

The biometrical study of heredity.

The biometrical school of heredity studies developed statistical methods to study population variation and its relation to evolutionary theories, advancing our understanding of heredity and its impact on evolution.

1924·

23citations

·R. Fisher

Evolution of Genetic Techniques: Past, Present, and Beyond

Genetic techniques have evolved over time, leading to the identification of more than 1800 disease genes, 2000 genetic tests, and the development of over 350 biotechnology-based products.

Rigorous JournalHighly Cited

2015·

99citations

·A. Durmaz et al.

Book review of Bonduriansky; R. & Day, T.2018. Extending heredity to better understand evolution, Princeton University Press, 288 pages, ISBN: 9780691157672, $29.95

Extra-genetic inheritance, including parental interactions, significantly influences both short-term and long-term evolution in organisms.

Rigorous Journal

2018·

0citations

·T. Uller

Genetics (as a Discipline)

Genetics focuses on the transmission of DNA from parent to progeny, the mechanisms of gene regulation, and the distribution of heritable variation within an interbreeding population.

2013·

0citations

·A. Campbell

Inheritance of harelip and cleft palate

The scientific investigation of human heredity has to be carried out on quite different lines than investigations with animals and plants. Whilst in their case definite interbreeding experiments can be made in the laboratory, experiments of this nature are quite out of the question where human beings are concerned. In this respect we are entirely dependent on chance and must, therefore, content ourselves with studying the results which nature offers us. As far as human genetics are concerned, the application of an experimental method for medical and statistical purposes must consequently be completely eliminated. We must confine ourselves to studying the pedigrees of families that exhibit characteristics the inheritance of which it is desired to examine; or we inquire into the defects of oneegg or two-egg twins. This last method is not possibte in practice when the features concerned occur but relatively seldom. For our investigations we adopted the first method, since the second one offers as basis far too small a number of subjects, as we shall have an opportunity of seeing further on. We are indebted for our material to the kindness of the heads of the surgical clinics of the municipal hospitals in Rotterdam and Schiedam, and of the Sophia

Highly Cited

1933·

177citations

·J. Sanders

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