Exam 02

Today we had our second midterm exam, covering materials from chapter 8 (DNA structure and chromosomal organization) to the beginning of chapter 11 (mutation - [mutation rate]).

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Lecture, chapter 11 - Mutation (causes of mutation)

Continuing with the chapter on mutation, today we talked about the main agents that act as mutagens, mainly radiation and chemicals. We discussed some of the different kinds of mutation and how mutagens promote them; also how different categories of chemicals interact with DNA witht he result of causing mutations.

Reminder: Exam 2 is tomorrow!

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Lecture, chapter 11 - Mutation

Today we started chapter 11, on mutation, the source of genetic variation.

We talked about the kind of mutations we are going to be focusing on (those that alter the nucleotidic sequence of genes), and how it is detected in humans when they are reflected in the phenotype.
We also discussed what the rate of mutation is, and how it is calculated in humans, based on the observed number mutant phenotypes in a set of births.

After lecturing we did a quick and dirty overview of a couple of execises in the Drosophila gene mapping lab. A handout in pdf format has been uploaded to both, the p-drive and the WebCT site for the class explaining how to do a three-point testcross.

Note: A three-point testcross exercise will be included in the exam this Friday.

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