C2 - Genetic expression Flashcards
How are inheritance patterns analyzed?
Using genetic and familial pedigree diagrams.
What factors contribute to variation in populations
some variation is due to genetics, some is environmental, and some is down to both.
What do pedigrees show
The presence or absence of genetic traits in family lines.
How many genetic disorders are known to occur in humans?
Several thousand.
Name two common genetic disorders
Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia
What can cause genetic disorders?
Single gene defects or chromosome abnormalities.
What are the inheritance patterns of gene defects?
Dominant or recessive patterns.
What is the incidence of CF in the UK?
1 in 1600 people born.
What is the carrier frequency of CF in the UK
1 in 20 people are symptomless carriers.
What does the CFTR gene code for
Chloride ion channel protein in cell surface membranes.
which tissues is the CFTR protein located
Lungs, gut, and reproductive tracts.
What mutation causes 70% of CF cases
Deletion of a codon leading to loss of phenylalanine at position 508 in the CFTR protein
What is the effect of the mutation on the CFTR protein?
Impairs the function of the ion channel.
What is the genetic makeup of symptomless carriers?
One mutated allele and one normal allele of the CFTR gene.
what age do symptoms of Huntington’s disease usually appear?
After the age of 35 years.
What gene mutation is responsible for Huntington’s disease?
Mutation in the HTT gene.
What is the function of the HTT gene
Codes for the huntingtin protein important for normal brain neuron function.
What are the early symptoms of Huntington’s disease
Low mood, poor coordination, and involuntary twitching movements (chorea).
How does Huntington’s disease progress?
Involuntary movements worsen, along with difficulties in walking, swallowing, talking, personality changes, and dementia
What is the risk of inheriting Huntington’s disease
individuals with 27-35 CAG repeats do not develop the disease but are at risk of having children with the disease due to expansion of the repeat sequence during meiosis.
People who have 36–40 or more CAG repeats may develop the disease later in life.
What type of mutation is within the HTT gene when Huntington’s disease is present
The mutation is an expanding triple nucleotide repeat and is sometimes called a ‘stutter’
What is the chance of a child inheriting Huntington’s disease when one parent is affected?
50% (1 in 2) at each pregnancy
What is the inheritance pattern of Huntington’s disease?
Autosomal dominant-only one mutated allele needs to be inherited for the disease to develop.
Dominant Allele
Dominant alleles will show their affect even if the individual only has one copy of this
allele
Recessive Allele
Recessive alleles will only show their effect if the individual inherits two copies of the
allele, one from the mother and one from the father
Genotype
The set of genes in DNA responsible for a particular trait
Phenotype
The physical expression of those genes, e.g., eye colour