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Genetics, as a branch of biology, is responsible for finding patterns in patterns of all kinds of species about their near and far ancestors. Including research into the similarities between the species of animals that have evolved over their genetic makeup. The genetic field is majorly divided into cytogenetics and molecular genetics. Both of these genetic studies are critical in understanding a few things such as genetics, evolution, the prognosis for certain diseases such as cancer, and a tendency to treat conditions such as schizophrenia and diabetes in human beings.
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Keyterms: Genetics, Species, Ancestors, Cytogenetics, Molecular genetics, Cancer, Schizophrenia, Genome, Chromosomes, Microscopic Lens
Cytogenetics
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Cytogenetics is an old and basic method used to conduct cytogenetic studies. It is far from obsolete and offers unique opportunities to approach the entire genome of a particular species at once; Cytogenetics uses the opportunity to make the genome visible to the human eye under a microscopic lens. Thus, cytogenetics is about the study of chromosomes by the ancient mechanisms presented later. It is directed to a single cell, and it studies chromosomes for research purposes and diagnostic purposes.
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Molecular Genetics
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Molecular genetics is a sub-field of biology that deals with how the differences in structures or manifestations of DNA molecules are manifested as differences between living things. Molecular genes often use a ‘research method’ to determine the genetic makeup or function of genes in a living genome using genetic screens. Molecular genetics is a powerful way to link genetic mutations that can help in the search for drugs/treatments for various genetic disorders.
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Scope of Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics
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Much research has been done on genetics. Some types of genetic abnormalities and rare birth defects require a better understanding of their causes. For example, atavism is a phenomenon, in which a living thing is born with a trait that was lost during evolution; e.g., some human babies are born with tails, a physical trait that was lost during millions of years of evolution; a detailed genetic examination may help geneticists to determine what causes this recurrence and what genes make it possible. Such analysis can be part of both cytogenetics and molecular genes; with the help of cytogenetics, a geneticist can understand what changes in structure and numbers have occurred in the chromosome and genes, respectively, due to the reactivation of inactive genes.
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Difference between Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics
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The difference between Cytogenetics and Molecular Genetics are tabulated below for your reference,
| Cytogenetics | Molecular Genetics |
|---|---|
| Cytogenetics is the study of numerical and structural variations in the chromosomes with the use of microscopic methods. | Molecular genetics Study of genes using DNA techniques and technology at the level of DNA. |
| Example - FISH, aCGH, Karyotyping is a few of the methods used in cytogenetics. | Example - Some of the techniques used in molecular genetics are – DNA amplification, DNA isolation, gene screens, gene cloning, etc. |
Things to Remember
- Genetics is the smallest part of a long chain of DNA. They are the basic units of physical and genetic functioning. In humans, genes vary in size from a few hundred DNA strands to over two million basic genes.
- In cytogenetics, the number of chromosomes and their structures is the basis of research.
- Molecular genetic engineering uses DNA technology to investigate genetic mutations.
- Genetics emerged from genetic identification, the basic units responsible for genetics.
- Cytogenetics examines cells from any type of tissue and even tumor cells.
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Sample Questions
Ques: What do you understand about genetics? (2 marks)
Ans: Genetics is a branch of biology that is responsible for genetics and genetic diversity. Genetics transmit traits or characteristics from parents to their offspring. Genetic diversity means the difference that makes one creature different from its parents. Evolution is a process of genetic variation in many generations by natural selection. Humans are made up of cells, and fibers are made up of DNA. Each time a cell divides, its DNA is repeated and evenly divided into two female cells.
Ques: What do you mean by gene duplication? (2 marks)
Ans: Duplication is a type of mutation in which one or more copies of a gene or chromosome region are produced. Genetic and chromosome replication occurs in all species of animals, but it is most common in plants. A genetic duplication is an important form of evolution.
Ques: What is the common feature between cytogenetics and molecular genetics? (2 marks)
Ans: Both of these fields of study are important in understanding genetic diseases, treatments, diagnoses, and evolution. Molecular genetics is the study of chromosomes and DNA at the cellular level using DNA technology while, Cytogenetics is the study of the number and structure of chromosomes by microscopic analysis. Molecular genetics studies the components of DNA, genes at the cellular level while cytogenetics is the study of how chromosomes relate to cell behavior during the process of cell division.
Ques: Define mutation process. (2 marks)
Ans: When DNA sequences change, it is called a mutation. Changes may occur as a result of DNA copy errors during cell division, ionizing radiation exposure, mutagen exposure, or viral infection. The germline mutation occurs in eggs and sperm and can be passed onto the offspring, but somatic mutations occur in body cells and are not transmitted to the offspring.
Ques: Enumerate the importance of molecular genetics. (2 marks)
Ans: Molecular genetics is a subspecialty of biology that determines how genetic variation or expression of DNA molecules manifests itself as differences between living things. The mutagenesis screen of molecular genetics often uses the ‘investigation method’ to determine the genetic makeup or function in a genome of an organism. The field of study is based on a combination of several sub-fields in biology: ancient Mendelian heritage, cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology. Molecular genetics is a powerful way to link genetic mutations that may support drug research/treatment of various genetic disorders.
Ques: What is the importance of cytogenetics? (2 marks)
Ans: Cytogenetic analysis of hematological malignancies plays a significant role in diagnosis. A large number of randomized chromosomal abnormalities are associated with certain types of leukemia. In general, the cytogenetic effect provides a more accurate diagnosis.
Ques: What is the key difference between cytogenetics and molecular genetics? (2 marks)
Ans: In cytogenetics, the number of chromosomes and their structures is the basis of research. It also involves studying the relationship between chromosomes and cell behavior during the cell division process. While molecular genetics is the study of the level of chromosomes and DNA fragments performed with the help of DNA technology. Studies such as genetic testing of genetically modified organisms fall under the branch of molecular genetics.
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