Cytogenetics

The cell cycle. The fine structure of chromosome and DNA replication. Changes in the chromosome material: Qualitative change substitution, inversion, translocation; quantitative changes duplication, deletion. Their effects on meiosis, fertility and evolution. Chromosome pairing factors affecting chromosome pairing genic, environmental, chromosome homology. Karyotyping, use of chromosome banding and pachytene analysis. Cytology of autopolyploids, allopolyploids haploids and aneuploids and their consequences on meiosis fertility, and vigour. Introduction to in-situ hybridization, PCR, RFLP, etc.