Forward geneticsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigForward genetics: an approach to studying genes wherein a researcher starts with mutants with interesting phenotypes and uses mapping and cloning methods to try and identify the physical identity of the gene. Compare to reverse genetics.: an approach to studying genesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGene: read Chapters 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 for a definition of gene :-) wherein a researcher starts with mutantsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigMutant: an individual that has a different phenotype than wildtype and likely contains one more mutations that cause this difference. with interesting phenotypesplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigPhenotype: an observable feature or property of an organism. and uses mappingplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGenetic mapping: a term describing a variety of different experimental approaches used to determine the physical locations of genes on chromosomes. and cloningplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigClone: Depending on the context, this word can have a few different meanings:

* In the context of genes, cloning means that the physical identity of a gene has been found, and the gene has been sequenced. * In the context of DNA, a cloned DNA fragment is one that has been inserted into some kind of methods to try and identify the physical identity of the geneplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigGene: read Chapters 02, 03, 04, 05, and 06 for a definition of gene :-). Compare to reverse geneticsplugin-autotooltip__default plugin-autotooltip_bigReverse genetics: an approach to studying genes wherein a researcher starts with knowledge of the physical identity of a gene (i.e., the DNA sequence of the gene) but does not know its function. In reverse genetics, the researcher uses various molecular genetic tools to create modified alleles that are reintroduced into an organism, with the goal of trying to deduce the function of the.