Branches of Genetics

A three-panel infographic illustrates the branches of genetics, showing inheritance in families, DNA-to-protein processes at the molecular level, and gene variation across populations.

Think about it – When cuddling an adorable infant, do you often go wow about the baby's appearance and make statements like his hair is just as good as his mother’s or her eyes are identical to her father’s? Well, these statements are absolutely true. Due to the transmission of genes, offspring develop a few traits similar to their parents.

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What is Genetics?

Genetics is a branch of science that deals with the study of information on heredity, DNA control functions, genes, biological functions of cells, and expression patterns of genes, also known as 'Microarray Technology' and molecular biology. Geneticists focus on areas like evolution, population, and bioinformatics.

History of Genetics

History of Genetics

Genetics is the science of heredity & variation. This page explores the History of Genetics and important events around genetics from the start categorized by year.
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3 Primary Branches of Genetics

Genetics is the study of how traits are passed from parents to offspring. To study this effectively, scientists look at how genes move through individuals, how they work inside cells, and how they change in large groups.

A) Transmission Genetics

Often called “Mendelian Genetics” after Gregor Mendel, this classical genetics branch focuses on the individual and how traits are passed from one generation to the next. It is the study of heredity and family trees.

  • What it studies: Dominant and recessive traits, how chromosomes separate during reproduction, and how to predict the physical traits of offspring.
  • Why it matters: This is the foundation for understanding why children look like their parents and identifying the risk of inherited conditions like color blindness.

B) Molecular Genetics

Molecular genetics zooms in to look at the chemical nature of the gene itself. This branch is concerned with the “coding” of life—how DNA is copied, how it gets damaged (chromosomal mutations), and how it gives instructions to the cell.

  • What it studies: The structure of DNA, RNA, and proteins. It looks at the molecular processes of replication, transcription, and translation.
  • Why it matters: By understanding the molecular “typos” in our DNA, scientists can develop gene therapies to fix the underlying causes of diseases like Cystic Fibrosis or the “Big C”.

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

In the world of genetics, the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to Protein is famously known as the “Central Dogma.” It is the universal rule for how life translates “instructions” (DNA) into “action” (Proteins).

C) Population Genetics

Population genetics zooms out to look at large groups of individuals. Instead of looking at one family, it studies how the frequency of certain genes changes over time across an entire city, country, or species.

  • What it studies: Genetic variation, evolution, and how factors like migration or natural selection change the “gene pool“.
  • Why it matters: This branch helps us understand how humans migrated across the globe and why certain populations are more or less susceptible to specific health conditions.

Modern & Applied Branches

As our technology has advanced into 21st century, several specialized fields have become vital:

  • Genomics: The study of an organism’s entire set of DNA (the genome), rather than just single genes.
  • Epigenetics: Investigates how your behaviors and environment (like diet or stress) can cause changes that affect the way your genes work without changing the DNA sequence itself.
  • Cytogenetics: The study of chromosomes under a microscope to detect large-scale abnormalities (like an extra chromosome).

Genetics Curriculum Overview

To become literate in the subject of Genetics, you will have to gain insight into a variety of subjects. Some of them include:

  • Introductory information on genetics. Its concept and meaning.
  • Facts on DNA Anatomy and how to do it.
  • Limelight on the basics of population genetics.
  • An idea about Genotyping.
  • Relations and correlations between Genotype and Phenotype.
  • Description of terminologies, methodologies, and technologies related to the study of modern genetics.
  • Concepts about trait genetics. How to study and understand the complexity of traits and their patterns?

Genetics Articles

6 Major Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Foods

6 Major Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Foods

In the continuing battle for hunger, food production has really gotten more technologically improved through the years. Hence the production of food that are said to be "genetically modified", like the ones previously mentioned. Here are 6 major disadvantages of genetically modified foods.
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Albino Bats

Albino Bats

Albino Bats – Discover the genetic causes, physical traits, geographic hot-spots, and conservation efforts surrounding these rare pigment-less morphs that persist in tropical caves and forests through 60 global cases across 11 families.
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Albino Crows

Albino Crows

Rare genetic variants, albino crows reveal key insights into pigmentation, survival, and biodiversity despite the challenges posed by their bright white plumage that lacks the species’ typical protective camouflage.
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Albino Deer: A Rare and Fascinating Genetic Mutation

Albino Deer: A Rare and Fascinating Genetic Mutation

Albino deer are extremely rare and fascinating genetic anomalies. This in-depth guide covers what albino deer are, why they’re white, where they’re found, major challenges they face, controversies surrounding them, seeing them in zoos, and reasons we find these mystical-looking white deer so captivating.
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Albino Ferrets

Albino Ferrets

Explore the intriguing world of Albino Ferrets – their unique genetics, characteristics, care needs, and challenges in the wild. Uncover the joy of owning one!
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Albino Monkeys

Albino Monkeys

Albino monkeys, also known as monkeys with albinism, lack pigmentation in their skin, hair, and eyes. Discover more about these unique creatures and their genetic condition.
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Can Animals Have Down Syndrome?

Can Animals Have Down Syndrome?

Animals and humans can share a host of different diseases and illnesses. Although they may manifest and present differently in the two, animals, too, can acquire genetic disorders. Can animals have Down syndrome? Explore reports on animals having Down syndrome with good illustrations.
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Designer Babies Pros and Cons

Designer Babies Pros and Cons

About four decades ago, the first ever test tube baby was created using the process of IVF. Like any scientific innovations, the technology of creating designer babies has a wide variety of promising advantages and at the same time possible disadvantages too. Explore the designer babies pros and cons here.
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What is Genetic Determinism?

What is Genetic Determinism?

An emerging idea in the field of genetics called Genetic Determinism (Biological Determinism) is a concept that entertains the belief that human behavior is governed and controlled by the action of genes, and bypasses the role the environment plays. Learn definition, history, types & concepts of Genetic Determinism.
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Woolly Mammoth Clone Project: Can It Be Resurrected?

Woolly Mammoth Clone Project: Can It Be Resurrected?

According to studies, the planet is now in the midst of mass extinction for the sixth time. Among many species in the animal kingdom, the Woolly Mammoth and the Passenger Pigeon are the top priority for resurrection in the science communities. Explore the Woolly Mammoth Clone project goals and drawbacks here.
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Resources

Department of Energy Human Genome Program
The Human Genome Program of the Department of Energy is focused on reaching the goals of the U.S. Human Genome Project in cooperation with the extramural division of the National Human Genome Research Institute of the National Institutes of Health. Link

ECOGENICS GmbH – molecular marker services
ECOGENICS develops molecular tools for the genetic analysis of fungi, plants, and animals. We provide custom-made solutions to facilitate research projects. Link

GEENOR
Articles and software related to genetic engineering and genetics. Link

Genetics Division of the WWW VL Biosciences
The WWW Virtual Library has a comprehensive list of genetic resource links categorized by species. Link

Genetics Education Center
The Genetics Education Center is for educators interested in human genetics and the human genome project. Resources on the human genome project, curricula, lesson plans, books, videotapes, and other resources are included, as well as information on a mentor network, genetic conditions, genetic careers, and glossaries. The site is maintained by Medical Genetics, University of Kansas Medical Center. Link

GENETICS OF FITNESS AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE
Do genes determine champions? Genetic information about athletes’ predisposition to illness and injury. Genetic engineering to create “super-athletes”. Gene therapy and tissue engineering in sports medicine. Link

GenomeWeb
The GenomeWeb is the authoritative collection of the best genome-related sites on the Web. Link

Genomics and Bioinformatics Group
The Genomics & Bioinformatics Group (GBG) website offers useful bioinformatic program packages, microarray data analysis information, and molecular databases for genomic and proteomic research. Link

Human Genome Project Information
The main homepage for Human Genome Project information –what the project is; its progress, history, and goals; what issues are associated with genome research; frequently asked questions, the science behind the project; who its sponsors are. Link

KEGG
Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) is an effort to computerize current knowledge of molecular and cellular biology regarding the information pathways that consist of interacting molecules or genes and to provide links from the gene catalogs produced by genome sequencing projects. The KEGG project is being undertaken at the Institute for Chemical Research, Kyoto University as part of the Japanese Human Genome Program. Link

Magpie
A list of current genome sequencing projects with links to their research facility. Link

Maize Genetics COOP Stock Center
A repository for maize mutants utilized by scientists conducting biological research. Order genetic stocks and obtain information about maize mutants. Link

The DNA Learning Center web
The DNA Learning Center web page contains various online DNA resources and information on our many workshops, field trips, courses, and products. Link

The Euro-MRX consortium: groundbreaking research into Mental Retardation
The Euro-MRX Project researches the genetic causes of X-linked mental retardation. The goal is to identify new genes associated with MRX and to improve diagnostic techniques. Link

The Interactive Fly
Website maintained by the Society of Developmental Biology containing information regarding Drosophila genes and their roles in development. Link

TIGR Microbial Database
A listing of microbial genomes and chromosomes completed and in progress. Link

Cite this page

Bio Explorer. (2026, January 25). Branches of Genetics. https://www.bioexplorer.net/divisions_of_biology/genetics/

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