Difference between revisions of "Genetics"
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===The Development of Genetics=== | ===The Development of Genetics=== | ||
| − | : [[ | + | : [[Genetics]] was gradually discovered over a large period of time. |
: The first [[Scientific Evidence|evidence]] for [[genetic]]s came when an Austrian Monk named [[Gregor Mendel]] began experimenting with pea plants. [[Gregor Mendel|Mendel]] noticed that when certain varieties of pea plants were crossed (wrinkled vs smooth peas) these traits were [[heredity|inherited]] in predictable ways. | : The first [[Scientific Evidence|evidence]] for [[genetic]]s came when an Austrian Monk named [[Gregor Mendel]] began experimenting with pea plants. [[Gregor Mendel|Mendel]] noticed that when certain varieties of pea plants were crossed (wrinkled vs smooth peas) these traits were [[heredity|inherited]] in predictable ways. | ||
: In the late 19th century [[chromosome]]s were first observed in [[Cell (Biology)|cells]] that were undergoing [[Cell Division|cell division]]. | : In the late 19th century [[chromosome]]s were first observed in [[Cell (Biology)|cells]] that were undergoing [[Cell Division|cell division]]. | ||
Revision as of 08:44, 7 May 2019
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Genetics is the study of inheritance and genes.
The Development of Genetics
- Genetics was gradually discovered over a large period of time.
- The first evidence for genetics came when an Austrian Monk named Gregor Mendel began experimenting with pea plants. Mendel noticed that when certain varieties of pea plants were crossed (wrinkled vs smooth peas) these traits were inherited in predictable ways.
- In the late 19th century chromosomes were first observed in cells that were undergoing cell division.
- By the early 20th century scientists had noticed that Mendel's prediction that there were units of inheritance matched the behaviour of chromosomes during cell division.
- Scientists did not know what genes were made of until Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins investigated the structure of DNA using 'X-ray Diffraction' and then Francis Crick and James Watson built 3d models which showed the double helix shape of DNA.
- This gave rise to the development of 'Gene Theory' which suggested genes were made of DNA and that they coded for the synthesis of specific proteins.