Homework problems

Homework problems are assigned throughout the semester. See the course outline for the due dates for all homework assignments. Problems have been chosen to give you practice applying the genetics concepts presented in each unit of the course. This course is strongly "problem-based." This means that you must develop your skills of working problems as a way of building your understanding of genetics concepts. When you can honestly say that you are able to solve a set of assigned problems correctly, and understand why the methods you use to solve the problems work, it means you have a good working knowledge of the underling concepts. Because the lecture exam items are mostly problems, the more practice you have working problems, the better you will perform on the exams.

Listed below are the assigned homework sets along with brief descriptions of the concepts covered in each. Because some homework sets cover multiple topics, an entire problem set is not assigned at once. Follow the course outline carefully to see when specific problem numbers are assigned. At the top of each problem set there is a link to show the problems along with their solutions. Be sure to work the problems first on your own before checking your answers.

Don't be discouraged when you get stuck on a problem. Some of them can be quite challenging. That is part of the learning process. These problems don't just test your knowledge, they help you discover areas where you may need help to understand a concept. Whenever you have difficulty with a problem, a red flag should go up. It should tell you what questions you should ask in the next lecture class or that you may need to see your instructor during office hours for some one-on-one help.

Problem set 1

Basic Mendelian genetics: monohybrid crosses

Problem set 2

Basic Mendelian genetics: dihybrid crosses

Problem set 3

Probability: basic probability, sum rule, product rule, binomial formula

Problem set 4

Chi-square test, pedigree analysis

Problem set 5

Extensions of Mendelian genetics: incomplete dominance, lethals, multiple alleles, multiple gene inheritance, epistasis, quantitative inheritance

Problem set 6

Sex determination and sex-linked traits

Problem set 7

Chromosomes, mitosis, meiosis

Problem set 8

Variations in chromsomes structure and number

Problem set 9

Linkage: two-point crosses, three-point crosses, tetrad analysis

Problem set 10

Molecular genetics: DNA structure, DNA replication

Problem set 11

Molecular genetics: transcription, translation, gene regulation

Problem set 12

Population genetics: Hardy-Weinberg principle, allele frequencies, genetic drift, natural selection

Study guides

Each study guide is kind of "what-do-I-need-to-know" list. They are not complete lists of everything that has been covered. You should use your textbook, lecture outlines, and your own notes for that. Each guide is just a short list of most of the main topics and some of the types of problems that you should be able to solve. Use these guides mainly to make sure you have not missed some important concept. Remember to put most of your study time into practicing problems from the homework sets. Most exam items are problems.

You may examine any study guide at anytime, but their content changes each semester as the content of the course changes. Be sure the revisit the study guide for the upcoming exam shortly before the scheduled exam date to make sure that you are using the most up-to-date version.

Topics for Exam 1	Topics for Exam 3
Topics for Exam 2	Topics for Final Exam

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