3.8.3 using genome projects Flashcards
what is a genome?
all of the DNA of an organism
includes all genes that carry all the genetic information to making proteins
what were the aims of the human genome project?
to identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA
to find where each gene is located
to determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs
store information in data bases
what is the detailed information about the genome?
- 30,000 - 40,000 genes
- average human gene contains 3000 bases
- non-coding sequences (junk DNA) makes of 98.5%
- 1.4 millions locations of single nucleotide polymorphisms
how are new genes identified?
breast cancer gene
total colour blindness gene
genes are analysed for mutations causing disease
how are new drug targets identified?
a molecule that a drug interacts with
identification of genes allows identification of drug targets
what preventative medicine and improved drug treatment are associated with the genome project?
variation is base sequences may account for why some people experience side effects from drug therapies
identification of mutations associated with a particular disease allows patient to make lifestyle changes or adopt preventative therapy
how is evolution investigated?
repeat sequences replicate and insert themselves into the DNA modifying, reshuffling and creating new genes
comparisons with the genome of other organisms establish evolutionary pathways
what is a proteome?
all the proteins DNA can code for in the organism
the presence of non-coding DNA and regulatory genes mean that knowledge of the genome cannot easily be translated into the proteins
what are the ethics of the human genome project?
people may be put under pressure to not have children/terminate pregnancies
increases pressure for germ line therapy to prevent children inheriting genetic conditions
embryo has no choice in the matter
may lead to:
discrimination within jobs
issues with insurance
designer babies
knowing risks may cause psychological stress
human rights and personal stress
data protection issues
what is a whole-genome sequencing?
cutting DNA into small sections and using algorithms to line up overlapping sections which then reveal the whole genome
what are SNPs?
single nucleotide polymorphisms - single base variations in DNA that are associated with diseases/disorders
why is the identification of SNPs useful?
allows diseases/diagnosed before symptoms appear which could allow early intervention before progression
why is the sequencing of DNA useful to evolutionary biologists?
similarities in DNA indicate the closeness of evolutionary relationships
