Genetics Definition: Examples, Meaning, Facts, Topics, Timeline

What Is Genetics?

Genetics therefore can be defined as the branch of biology which is mainly concerned with genes, heredity and the genetic variation that exists within species of a given organism. It looks at how characteristics are inherited by offspring and analyses processes involved in the creation of biospecies. Genetics is central to both biology and medicine because it is concerned with the framework of inheritance, the reasons for disease, and the possibilities for treatment.

Latest: NEET 2024 Paper Analysis and Answer Key 

Don't Miss: Most scoring concepts for NEET | NEET papers with solutions

New: NEET Syllabus 2025 for Physics, Chemistry, Biology

NEET Important PYQ & Solutions: Physics | Chemistry | Biology

The field of genetics can be considered to have been founded in the second half of the 19th century when Gregor Mendel conducted experiments with pea plants to discover basic laws of inheritance. Since then genetics has advanced and is now a field of biology that connects molecular biology, genomics and biotechnology to describe the many-faceted fullness of life at a genetic level.

Basic Concepts In Genetics

The basic concepts used in genetics are:

Genes And Chromosomes

They are segments of the chromosomes that contain sequences responsible for encoding a particular characteristic in a living thing. They are situated on chromosomes, filamentous bodies present in the nucleus of the cells associated with the transmission of hereditary characteristics. This is a molecule that carries the codes which determine the characteristics of an individual, it is known as deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA for short. Its structure in the form of a double helix includes two spiral strands and nucleotide bases adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G) in the middle part.

Diagram Of DNA Structure

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a repository of a set of rules that determine how the letters of the DNA sequence are matched up with the letters of the amino acid sequence which goes to make up proteins. Any string of three consecutive nucleotides in the mRNA is called a codon which represents a particular amino acid or allows the process of translation to stop. It means transcription or formation of mRNA from DNA which forms the basis of cell activities and translation or building of proteins from mRNA which helps in deciding the characteristics of an individual.

Recommended video for "Genetics Definition"