AGS200 Agricultural Genetics (8)

CSU Discipline Area: Agricultural and Horticultural Studies (AGHOR)

Duration: One session

Abstract:

This subject introduces concepts and techniques in Mendelian, molecular and population genetics. It covers principles of qualitative and quantitative inheritance with emphasis on application of these to agricultural and animal science.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations

Session 1
Internal	Wagga Wagga
Distance *	Wagga Wagga

*This subject offering contains a residential school. Please view following information for further details.

Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: AGS200

Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure of nucleic acids, their components, the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation;
- be able to describe the features of eukaryotic and prokaryotic genes in relation to control of gene expression. Define causes and consequences of mutations;
- be able to describe chromosome structure, the cell cycle, mitosis, meiosis and discuss how the latter contributes to genetic variation, Describe the processes of gametogenesis in animals and plants;
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the Mendelian model for inheritance illustrated by simple monohybrid, dihybrid crosses and how this relates to meiosis. Outline the product and sum laws of probability and apply these to solving problems;
- be able to accurately describe pedigree analysis and its use in predicting animal and human genetic disease. Understand modifications to Mendel's laws caused by different allelic relationships including incomplete dominance, codominance, multiple allelic systems and lethal alleles including showing an understanding of the concepts and penetrance and expressivity;
- be able to accurately describe and define the terms epistasis and complementation and describe the six sorts of epistatic interactions with specific examples;
- be able to list and describe the mechanisms for sex determination with emphasis on mammals. Understand the change in the developmental pathway of mammals mediated by testis determining factor (TDF). Describe how sex linked genes are inherited and recognize patterns of inheritance for simple dominant and recessive traits.
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of gene linkage, genetic distance and how the latter relates to physical distance between genes on chromosomes. Be able to construct chromosome maps using two and three point testcross data.
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the Hardy-Weinberg equation is used to predict allelic frequencies and phenotypes in populations. Define the assumptions behind the equation.
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the environment, an organisms genotype and their interaction contribute to traits governed by many genes in populations of animals and plants. Define broad and narrow sense heritability. Understand how we estimate heritability of quantitative traits and predict genetic improvement in breeding animals and plants;
- be able to describe current conventional strategies used in breeding plants and animals. Have an appreciation of heterosis, inbreeding depression and limitations of conventional breeding techniques;
- be able to describe techniques used in molecular genetics including, cloning DNA, construction of cDNA/ genomic libraries, polymerase chain reaction, gel electrophoresis, Southern and Northern blotting, hybridisation and DNA sequencing and understand the importance of genome sequencing projects for domesticated species;
- be able to describe the application of techniques in molecular genetics and biotechnology to animal and plant improvement (breeding) and diagnosis of inherited disease/ traits.

Syllabus:

The subject will cover the following topics:

- The molecular basis of inheritance (gene expression); - the physical basis of inheritance (chromosome theory, mitosis, meiosis and gametogenesis); - mendelian genetics; - pedigree analysis, allelic relationships and modifications to Mendel's laws of inheritance; - gene interactions (epistasis); - the genetics of sex; - linkage and chromosome mapping; - qualitative genetics (Hardy-Weinberg theory); - quantitative genetics; - conventional plant and animal improvement; - techniques in molecular genetics; - application of molecular genetic techniques and biotechnology to plant and animal improvement.

Residential School

This subject contains a compulsory 3 day residential school.

This residential school provides a hands on approach to the theory taught in the subject.

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