(Image taken from: asianscientist.com) |
Genetics is a branch in Biology that seeks to study genetic variation
and heredity in living organisms. Genetics intersects with other life sciences
as an important element to understand some key concepts. It links with other
fields like Microbiology, Zoology, Wildlife, Ecology, Cell and Molecular
Biology, Plant Biology, and Systematics.
In order to stress the importance of Genetics, the Genews Team
interviewed young biologists in UPLB to give insights about the relevance of
genetics to their major. In a brief response, they explained the role of Genetics in
their major.
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GENEWS Team: "Why is genetics important to your major field?"
Systematics
"Genetics
is a valuable discipline when being used in systematics because classification
mostly relies on ecology and morphometrics. With the addition of genetics and
molecular techniques, the study would resolve many of the conflicts and the
presence of the gene banks could help greatly in taxonomy, biogeography and the
study of biodiversity; systematics."
- Earl Caraga, BS Biology ’15, Major
in Systematics
Wildlife Biology
"Genetics play an important role in wildlife studies,
especially in conservation issues, in such a way that ensuring a high genetic
diversity in a population contributes to the assurance of their survival. That
population will then ensure the survival of the whole community, then the
ecosystem - keeping its balance - allowing life to continue as life itself
depends on each other. While genetics is always thought to be focusing only on
the smallest of details, it is at the same time, dealing the biggest of issues
on greater scales.”
-Jestine Christia Gatdula, BS Biology ‘14, Major in Wildlife Biology
Plant Biology
"In the
field of Plant Biology, especially in our line of research on Plant Natural
Products, we employ Genetics to explain the variability (eg. presence,
composition, concentration) of phytochemicals in different taxa such as genera
of a family, species in a genus, or even varieties of a species. In this
manner, we can prevent overexploitation of a certain species known to have an
important phytochemical by looking at its relative species as possible
alternative sources."
- Anonymous
Ecology
"Genetics
elucidates how phenotypes are developed which in turn offers an explanation on
how organisms are able to fulfill their role in an ecosystem. Since phenotypes
and niches are closely linked (especially in polymorphic species), genetics is
important in rationalizing how organisms are able to fulfill the niches they
fill in a biological community."
- Uriah Z. Pancho, BS Biology ’14, Major
in Ecology
Microbiology
"Genetics
is one of the auxiliary disciplines in Microbiology. Aside from using
morphological examination and biochemical tests in identifying certain
microbes, gene sequencing can also be used; furthermore, this method confers
more accuracy compared to using phenotypic methods. A plethora of discoveries in
microbiology besides microbial identification can be attributed to the science
of genetics. Determining specific genes in the microbe and plasmid study are
applications of genetics in microbiolgy to name a few."
- Sean Timothy
Gacutan, BS Biology ’15, Major in Microbiology
Zoology
"As a
zoology major, I consider genetics as an integral part of my major. Without
knowledge on genetics, we would not be able to explain how animals diversify
and gain new characteristics. Also, genetics is an integral part in deciphering
a species' evolutionary lineage and ancestry."
- Micko Alojado, BS Biology
’15, Major in Zoology
Cell and Molecular Biology
"Any
observation we gather from cells, may it be morphological or physiological, is
a result of environmental and/or genetic factors. Hence, a complete and sound
analysis regarding these observations can only be done if we have the
information regarding the cell’s environment and the genetic basis of such
observations"
- Lance Lopez, BS Biology ’15, Major in Cell and Molecular
Biology
The study of genetics
is a vital field that interconnects with other fields. It allows us to understand
ideas that can be found in relation to other fields of the life sciences.
Genetics is also important since it helps students comprehend how a specific method
or phenomenon in their field would actually occur. Moreover, techniques and
different methods employed in studies of other fields involves notions that
could only be explained through the study of genetics.
The field of genetics
could be considered as an important branch in Biology that elucidates functions
at the most basic level, of all other fields. It explains that no matter how
different organisms are, we all share a kinship that is etched in our DNA. It
gives us a sense of connection to all life around us—that we are not different
from the trees that provide breathable air; from the microbes that live in our
gut; from the fishes that swim in the ocean. We are one with them. We may be diverse, but we are all genetically united.
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