BIOL 207 - Molecular Genetics and Heredity

This course is offered to students who plan to major in biological sciences, health professions, agriculture, or students of other programs who need to fulfill natural science requirements.  BIOL 207 is a prerequisite for senior level courses in genetics, biotechnology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, physiology, and evolution.  The course may also be taken as an elective by students interested in heredity.

Prerequisites: BIOL 107  
Corequisites: None

Course Learning Outcomes:
A student who successfully completes the course will have reliably demonstrated the ability to

Cognitive Skills

1.         Explain chromosome structure and chromatin composition, karyotype and chromosome banding pattern.

2.         Describe the structural and functional organization of genomic DNA, genes, regulatory, other functional and non-functional sequences.  

3.         Discuss the chromosome theory of inheritance, the cell cycle, the phases of mitosis and meiosis I, II, and bacterial binary fission. 

4.         Epitomize sexual reproduction and recombination, as well as conjugation of bacteria or ciliates. 

5.         Outline the Mendelian analysis, dominance, random segregation, independent assortment, probability, pedigree analysis, and allele frequency.

6.         Itemize gene product interactions, such as multiple alleles, pleiotropy, polygenic inheritance, epistasis, complementation, penetrance.

7.         Specify sex linkage, carriers, sex determination, X-chromosome inactivation, Barr bodies; life cycles, gametophyte and sporophyte generations.  

8.         Identify autosomal linkage, recombination frequencies and map distance, in dihybrid and two or three-point test crosses.

9.         Quote the chromosome mapping techniques, intragenic maps, interference, mapping function for long distances; ordered and unordered tetrads.

10.     Distinguish extranuclear inheritance in mitochondria and chloroplasts, and mitotic recombination. 

11.     Recognize maternal effect mutants expressed up to gastrulation, positional information, polarity-gap-pair rule-segment polarity-homoeotic genes, homeobox.

12.     Quote the DNA theory of inheritance, chemical structure of the DNA double helix, DNA-binding motifs of DNA-associated enzymes. 

13.     Specify the semi-conservative replication of DNA, the function of DNA polymerases, and other replication enzymes in the replication fork. 

14.     Discuss the one gene-one polypeptide hypothesis, transcription, eukaryotic RNA exon splicing, translation into proteins by using the universal genetic code.

15.     Itemize bacterial and viral recombination by double crossover, conjugation, transformation, transduction, and transfection. 

16.     Define mutation types at DNA and protein levels, mutagens and carcinogens, recognition of DNA lesions, point mutations, and enzyme action in DNA repair.

17.     Distinguish nondisjunction, polyploidy, aneuploidy, duplication, deletion, translocation, inversion, and reproductive isolation.

18.     Name the recombinant DNA techniques, DNA restriction, cloning vector properties, genomic, chromosomal, and complementary DNA library construction.

19.     Explain the isolation of genes or other DNA sequences, in situ DNA-DNA or RNA-DNA hybridization and electroblotting techniques. 

20.     Outline enzymatic DNA or RNA chain termination, ion torrent, and pyrosequencing; radioisotopic, enzymatic or fluorescent tagging of nucleic acid probes.

21.     Specify Taq DNA polymerase chain reaction, chromosome walking, shotgun genomic read assembly, chimaeric genes, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, and transgenic organisms.

22.     Distinguish gene regulation in Escherichia coli: the trp, ara, lac operons, promoters, operators, leader peptide, attenuation, repressors and activators.

23.     Itemize gene regulation in eukaryotes: ß-globin proximal enhancer elements, immunoglobulin genes; transposons and retrotransposons, gene amplification.

24.     List yeast GAL and MAT systems, ß-interferon enhanceosome, histone acetylation or methylation, barrier insulator, enhancer-blocking insulator, imprinting.

25.     Discuss mechanisms of cancer development including the role of viruses, chromosomal abnormalities, cell cycle deregulation, and mutations in cancer-related genes.

Applied Skills

26.     Recognize stages of mitosis in onion root tips and whitefish blastulas, as well as meiosis I and II in rye anthers and grasshopper testes; Prepare acetocarmine-stained chromosome spreads of onion root tips.

27.     Adjust compound and dissecting light microscopes to assess phenotypes of small objects, like, onion root cells, rye anther cells, and fruit flies.

28.     Work safely with bacterial and yeast cultures in a Level-2 biosecurity lab, using aseptic technique, proper culture techniques such as streak plate method using inoculation loop and bio incinerator, and spread plate method using a sterile glass spreader and alcohol lamp; differentiating biohazardous and nonhazardous waste and disposing of each in the correct way.

29.     Test the induced histidine mutation reversion frequency after various doses of ultraviolet light exposure in yeast Saccharomyces on histidine-negative medium and compare it to the frequency of spontaneous mutations observed in unexposed control cultures.

30.     Perform serial dilutions of yeast cell suspension and use colony counts on complete medium to calculate viable yeast cells in the original suspension and killing; use colony counts on minimal media to calculate the frequency of reversion.

31.     Graph the results of serial dilution in complete medium and the results of increasing doses of ultraviolet light exposures.

32.     Identify the location of a blockage in the methionine biosynthesis pathway of an auxotrophic strain of Escherichia coli using a biochemical pathway analysis comparing growth of cultures on minimal media to those supplied with some of the biochemical pathway intermediates.

33.     Determine a mutated gene in an unknown methionine auxotrophic strain (example metB-) of Escherichia coli by transforming it with a chloramphenicol-resistance plasmid containing the wildtype allele (example pCA-metB+) restoring the prototroph phenotype.

34.     Write a scientific research report, with title, authors, lab address, abstract, introduction with hypothesis, methods and design, results presented in tables, graphs, pictures with statistics, discussion, and literature citation.

35.     Score Drosophila flies under the dissecting microscope for male/female sex, normal/vestigial wing and red/white eye phenotypes.

36.     Construct Punnett squares to analyze Drosophila fly F1 and F2 generation reciprocal dihybrid crosses that involve an autosomal (vestigial wing) and a sex-linked (white eye) gene.

37.     Formulate a null hypothesis based on Mendel’s equal segregation or independent assortment for each of the two genes tested in the dihybrid crosses of Drosophila flies and then make the corresponding numerical prediction.

38.     Apply Chi-square statistical tests to the Drosophila fly counts, to calculate degrees of freedom, to compare the critical Chi square value, and to make a statement regarding significance and acceptance of the null hypothesis, or any alternative hypothesis.

39.     Distinguish autosomal linkage, including sex linkage, from independent assortment based on the recombination frequency and Chi square statistics with assigned Drosophila fly crosses, when using the online Classical Genetics Simulator.

40.     Disable the lacZ gene contained on a plasmid within a host E.coli cell by transforming the cells with a second plasmid containing a cas9 gene and lacZ guide RNA.

41.     Distinguish the experimental gene knockout sample of transformed bacterial colonies from control samples using phenotypic screening of X-gal cleaved substrate in the agar medium and chloramphenicol resistance. 

42.     Confirm successful gene knockout using PCR molecular genotyping test, amplifying lacZ gene using multiplex (lacZ and Cas9) primers, and Taq polymerase in the DNA polymerase chain reaction in a thermocycler.

43.     Load experimental and control samples onto agarose gel and apply electrophoresis to separate molecules; results are visualized using UV-induced SYBR-Green fluorescence DNA detection in a digital imager.

44.     Extract genomic human DNA from cheek or hair cells to amplify the single nucleotide polymorphism using synthetic primers and Taq polymerase in the DNA polymerase chain reaction in a thermocycler.

45.     Calculate expected and observed allele frequencies based on lab generated data and apply to Hardy-Weinberg equation to determine whether the class population is in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium.

Required Resource Materials:
Required Resource Material:

Pierce, B. (2021). Genetics: A conceptual approach (7th ed.). New York, NY: W.H. Freeman,

MacMillan Learning.

Achieve Digital Course Materials (lecture quizzes, review materials, videos, animations):

MacMillan Learning (online) - link will be provided.

Wolansky, M.  (2024-2025).  Biology 207 Molecular genetics and heredity. Lab

manual.  Edmonton, AB: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta.

Lecture PowerPoints, Partial Course Notes & Assignments; Laboratory Information & Assessments

Fluney, D. (2025). BIO 207. Molecular Genetics and Heredity. Desire-2-Learn D2L online,

Lakeland College.

Optional Resource Materials:
Recommended Reference Textbooks:

Deyholos, M., Locke, J., Harrington, M., Wolansky, M., Canham, L., Kang, M.K. (2019). Open

genetics lectures. Edmonton, AB: Department of Biological Sciences,

University of Alberta.

Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., Reece, J.B., and Rawle, F.E., Durnford,

D.G., Moyes, C.D.,Scott, K., (2021). Campbell Biology (3rd Canadian ed.). Pearson,

Hoboken, NJ., USA, and Don Mills, ON, Canada.

Conduct of Course:
This is a 3-credit course with 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab per week. (3-0-3).

Lectures - Three hours per week

The in-person lectures are supported by PowerPoint data projection, white board notes, and occasionally by a short movie, animation or web-based assessment. The partial course notes and electronic files placed on the learning management system, Desire-to-Learn must be supplemented by notes taken by the students.  The library can be used to access the biological literature and students will have access to online databases. Students are expected to do the assigned reading in the textbook and lab manual on a weekly basis.

Labs - Three hours per week

The laboratory component consists of a series of experiments conducted individually or in small groups which implements practical application of knowledge gained in lecture. Lab content will be distributed in blended format which will include pre-lab reading, videos, quizzes, or discussion to be viewed before attending the lab AND in-class hands-on experiments.

Students generally complete online pre-lab quizzes using the college learning management system Desire2Learn (D2L) and submit a completed lab worksheet for every lab activity. In addition, one full lab report and a group presentation are required. Although the laboratory work may be performed in groups of up to 4 students, each student is responsible for independent data analysis, and an individual interpretation of the results. The student realizes that keen observation, logical analytical thinking, and accurate record keeping are essential to be successful in this field.  Students are expected to reference peer- reviewed primary research articles to increase comprehension of content. Citation of literature generally follows a scientific format (usually APA, or CSE).

All science students are required to attend all safety orientations and complete an in-house WHMIS training course available on D2L.  Additional site-specific bio-safety procedures and instructions will be discussed during the first lab. Safety procedures must be followed, and lab coats must be worn when in the Biosecurity Level 2 Lab.

The WHMIS Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System requires the safe handling and storage of chemicals, as specified in the SDS Safety Data Sheets. Microbes on Schedule 2 of the Human Pathogens and Toxins Act HPTA fall under the rules of the Pathogens Regulation Directorate of the Public Health Agency of Canada PHAC. Microbes and viruses are to be handled under supervision by qualified staff, must be fully contained, and must be destroyed before their disposal. All laboratory equipment is operated as specified in the Operation Manual.

Attendance is recorded by the instructor, and lab attendance is mandatory. If more than 2 labs are missed, excused or unexcused, the student is required to withdraw (RW) or is assigned a failing grade (F) for the entire course. If you do not meet the lecture attendance requirement of 80%, the Registrar may withdraw you from the course (RW).  If you are absent due to illness or due to a critical family situation, documentation may be requested to substantiate the reason for the absence. In any case, it is the responsibility of the student to acquire the missing information and to complete missed course work.

Students are only allowed to submit lab reports or worksheets for labs that they have attended. If the student’s absence is excusable, the missed lab is not counted. If the absence is inexcusable, the lab assignment is assigned a mark of 0.

Content of Course:
LECTURE

1. CHROMOSOME THEORY OF INHERITANCE
   • Eukaryotic chromosome structure & organization
   • Karyotype, chromatin packing levels, chromosome banding, epigenetics
   • Cell Cycle & Cell Division
   • Proof of the chromosome theory, nondisjunction
2. MENDEL’S ANALYSIS OF INDEPENDENT GENES
   • Dominance, Principle of equal segregation,
   • Independent assortment,
   • Predicting the outcome of genetic crosses: Punnett square, probability of phenotypes, chi2-test statistics, line presentation
   • Sex chromosomes, sex-linked characteristics, ZW, XO systems
3. EXTENSIONS & MODIFICATIONS OF MENDEL’S PRINCIPLES
   • Two or more genes: Polygenic inheritance, pleiotropy, recessive and dominant epistasis, complementation, suppression, duplicates
   • Penetrance, expressivity, pedigree analysis
   • Chloroplast, mitochondrion
4. GENE LINKAGE AND GENE MAPPING
   • Autosomal linkage and recombination frequencies
   • Genetic map distance, di-, tri-, and testcrosses, molecular markers
   1. CHROMOSOMAL MUTATIONS
   • Chromosomal number mutations: auto- or allo-polyploidy, aneuploidy, trisomy, monosomy, nullosomy
   • Chromosomal structure mutations: Deletions terminal-interstitial, insertions, translocations adjacent-alternate, inversions peri-paracentric
5. BACTERIAL & VIRAL GENETIC SYSTEMS
   • Bacterial and Bacteriophage genetics
   •  Gene mapping in viruses
6. DNA THEORY, REPLICATION & TRANSCRIPTION
   • Proof of DNA theory, DNA structure
   • Eukaryotic DNA organization on chromosomes, functional sequences
   • Chloroplast, mitochondrion, maternal effect (developmental) mutants
   • Origins of replication; the replication fork and bubble, DNA polymerases, replisome, telomeres
   • RNA molecules: structure, RNA processing, alternative splicing of RNA
7. TRANSLATION, GENE EXPRESSION & REGULATION
   • Translation on ribosomes & The Genetic code
   • Gene expression: One gene - one polypeptide hypothesis
   • Protein structure
   • Gene regulation in bacteria, lac, trp, ara operons, repressors, promoters, negative repressors, positive activators
   • Gene regulation in eukaryotes: promoters, enhancers, transposons, epigenetics
8.  MUTATIONS AND DNA REPAIR
   • Mutation classification and detection systems, the Ames test
   • Gene mutations, single nucleotide polymorphism, spontaneous and induced, mutagens, oncogenes
   • DNA lesion repair mechanisms, direct repair, excision repair, post-replication, transcriptional, SOS
   • Gene mutations, spontaneous and induced, mutagens, oncogenes
   • Cancer Genetics
9. MOLECULAR GENETIC ANALYSIS, BIOTECHNOLOGY & GENOMICS
   • Recombinant DNA technology: cloning, restriction endonucleases, probes and vectors, plasmids, gel electrophoresis
   • PCR polymerase chain reaction, Chromosome walking, RFLP restriction fragment length polymorphism, gene targeting
   • DNA sequencing, next generation & Third Generation Sequencing technologies
   • Genome editing: CRISPR-cas9,
   • In vitro mutagenesis transgenic animals, gene knockout), gene therapy, RNAi interference, genetic testing

LAB TOPICS/ ACTIVITIES

1. Mitosis & Meiosis
   • Observe phases of mitosis (onion root tip, whitefish blastula) and meiosis (rye anthers, grasshopper testis) on prepared slides
   • prepare stained chromosome spread of onion root tips
2. Pathways & Mutations
   •  Escherichia coli met pathway: streak assigned auxotrophic strains on minimal media supplied with or without methionine or one of its precursors
   • Observe growth of Escherichia coli met auxotroph’s on tester plates and identify the pathway blockage
   • Perform met A-F plasmid transformation that rescues competent auxotrophic Escherichia coli cells when grown on minimal medium
   • test-streak met +-plasmid-transformed Escherichia coli cells to minimal medium.
   • Record results of Escherichia coli met - strain rescue
3. UV Mutagenesis in Histidine Auxotrophic Yeast
   • Yeast his–his+revertion UV-mutagenesis set-up, cell dilution series plated on minimal and histidine+ media; UV exposure.
   • Count viable and his+revertant yeast cell colonies, perform calculations.
4. Single Gene Inheritance in Drosophila
   • Score the monohybrid crosses, autosomal (vestigial) and sex-linked (white);
   • Perform chi2-test statistics
5. Two gene inheritance in Drosophila flies:
   • Analyze virtual Drosophila populations for independent assortment or linkage using Classic Genetic Simulator
6. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms: Genetics of PTC taste receptors
   • DNA extraction & PCR
   • Horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis of experimental and control samples
   • Visualize gels & interpret results
7. CRISPR/Cas9 lacZ Gene Knockout
   • Transformation of E. coli with experimental and control plasmids
   • Phenotype screening, PCR
   • Horizontal agarose gel electrophoresis of experimental and control samples
   • Visualize gels & interpret results
   • Calculate allele frequencies and apply results to Hardy-Weinberg Principle

The final grade is an aggregate of the following components:

No supplemental assignments or exam re-writes are allowed in the University Transfer Department. There is no possibility for re-examination in this course.  There are opportunities to earn bonus marks by completing extra-credit assignments or participating in class discussion/activities. Forty percent of the course grade will be attributed to your performance in the laboratory portion of the course and will include lab report writing, data recording and analysis, quizzes, proficient practical work, and active participation. Worksheets provide a record of the data collected and their analysis. The laboratory exam is a practical exam about laboratory experiments; stations are set up at the lab benches, and students take turns answering the questions at each station.

Late submissions of assignments suffer a 10% deduction per day late on the mark, except under documented extraordinary circumstances. Incomplete pre-lab quizzes will be assigned a 0% unless documented extraordinary circumstances have prevented completion.

Students must inform the instructor in a timely manner of conflicts which affect exam attendance. If a student misses a midterm exam, the student must contact the instructor within 2 working days of the missed exam or as soon as reasonably possibly given the circumstance. If an excused absence is granted, the weight of the missed exam will be transferred to the final exam. If a student misses a final exam due to a valid, or critical reason, it may be deferred to a reasonable and mutually agreed upon date and time if documentation has been provided (within 5 calendar days) to substantiate the reason for absence. Failure to contact the instructor or provide documentation regarding a missed exam will result in a grade of 0 for the missed exam.

Cheating, falsifying or fabrication of laboratory data, plagiarism, unauthorized use of generative AI technology, copyright infringement, non-compliance with course procedures, safety regulations, or the code of conduct, are academic and professional offences. Depending on the severity of the offence, a student may be warned, sent out of the classroom, reported to the department Chair, may have marks deducted, assigned a failing grade for the course, or may be expelled from the college.

• Official final grades will be available on My Lakeland. Grades posted in D2L should be considered interim grades.  
• “Lakeland College is committed to the highest academic standards. Students are expected to be familiar with Lakeland College policies and to abide by these policies. Violations of these policies are considered to be serious and may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.”  

Students must maintain a cumulative grade of C (GPA - Grade Point Average of 2.00) in order to qualify to graduate.

Every effort has been made to ensure that information in this course outline is accurate at the time of publication. Lakeland College reserves the right to change courses if it becomes necessary so that course content remains relevant.

In such cases, the instructor will give students clear and timely notice of changes.

No part of this course outline may be reproduced in any form or resold without written permission from Lakeland College.

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