What is genetics?

The study of heredity

What are genes and how do we see them?

Basic units of information that are passed from parent to offspring and are expressed as traits

Genes code for what specifically?

Proteins

Genes are composed of what?

DNA

What are some properties of genetic material (DNA)?

• Replicates faithfully, with minimal error
• stores info via genes
• can change over time

What are the necessary characteristics of model organisms? (6)

1. Short generations
2. small size
3. easily maintained
4. high number of progeny
5. small genome
6. Can represent large branches of the tree of life