Genetical

Genetics is a branch of biology that studies genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms. The term "genetics" was first suggested by William Bateson, a British scientist, in 1905. The modern science of genetics, which seeks to understand the process of inheritance, began with the work of Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century.

History

The history of genetics dates back to the ancient world, with the earliest references to the concept of heredity appearing in the writings of Hippocrates and Aristotle. However, the modern science of genetics began with the work of the monk Gregor Mendel in the mid-19th century.

Branches of Genetics

Genetics is divided into four main branches: classical genetics, molecular genetics, population genetics, and quantitative genetics.

Classical Genetics

Classical genetics is the branch of genetics that studies the way traits are handed down from generation to generation. It involves the study of individual genes and their role in inheritance.

Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics involves the study of the structure and function of genes at a molecular level. It seeks to understand how genes are encoded, transcribed and translated into proteins.

Population Genetics

Population genetics studies the distribution of genetic variation within populations and how these distributions change over time. It combines the principles of Mendelian genetics with Darwinian evolution to study both stability and variation in the genetic constitution of populations.

Quantitative Genetics

Quantitative genetics focuses on the genetic mechanisms underlying complex traits, which are those that are influenced by multiple genes and the environment.

Genetic Disorders

A genetic disorder is a disease that is caused by an abnormality in an individual's DNA. These abnormalities can range from a small mutation in a single gene to the addition or subtraction of an entire chromosome or set of chromosomes.

See Also

• DNA
• Gene
• Genome
• Heredity
• Mutation