Cell division, inheritance and genetics Flashcards
Define the term inheritance
Inheritance is the passage of hereditary traits from one generation to another
Define the term Genetics
Genetics is the branch of biology that deals with inheritance
Define the term Genotype
Genotype if the genetic makeup of an individual E.g. Pp
Define phenotype
Phenotype if the physical characteristics determined by the genotype and the environment E.g. brown hair, blue eyes
Define the term mutation
A mutation is a permanent, heritable change in a gene that causes it to have a different effect than it has previously
Define the term “Autosome”
A normal chromosome that is not a sex chromosome: in humans, one of the 22 oher pairs
Define X-linked (sex) chromosomes
a chromosomes concerned in determining the sex of a person
Explain what is meant by dominant and recessive alleles
- dominant alleles is an allele that is always expressed, or evident, in a person. it does this by overriding the influence of the corresponding allele on the other homologous chromosomes E.g. Pp a dominant allele can show up and a homozygous (PP) or heterozygous (Pp)
- recessive alleles is an allele that is completely hidden or masked by the presence of a dominant allele. A recessive allele is only expressed when no dominant allele is present E.g. pp (homozygous recessive)
Explain Autosomal dominant dominant genetic conditions and give an example of a condition
- Pp
- caused by mutation of a single gene on a chromosome
- one heterozygous parent will have a 50% chance o having a child with the disease
- E.g. huntington’s disease
Explain Autosomal recessive genetic conditions and give an example of a condition
- pp
- caused by mutation of two gene pairs on a chromosome
- E.g. cystic fibrosis
Explain X-linked recessive genetic conditions and give an example of a condition
- caused by a mutation on the X chromosome
- more common in men as have only one X chromosome
- E.g. colorblindness and hemophilia
Define multiple allele inheritance and give on example of a genetic trait carried by this type of inheritance
- Three or more alternative forms of a gene (allele) that can occupy the same ocous.
- However, only two of the alleles can be present in a single organism. For example, the ABO system of blood groups is controlled by three alleles, only two of which are present in an individual
Define complex inheritance and give one example of a genetic trait carried by this type of inheritance
- Most inherited traits are not controlled by one gene but by:
- the combined effects of two or more genes or
- combined effects of many genes and environmental factors E.g. skin colour, hair colour, height, body weight, build and metabolism rate.
Explain why many X-linked conditions primarily affect males
- genes for X-linked traits appear on X chromosomes, bu many of them are absent from Y chromosomes.
- primarily affect males because there are no counterbalancing dominant genes on the Y chromosomes
Explain the term Trisomy and give an example
- a Trisomy is a type of polysomy in which there are three instances of the particular chromosome, instead of the normal two.
(2n+1) has an extra chromosome (trisomy) - E.g. downs syndrome
Explain the term Monosomy and give an example
- Monosomy is when a diploid organism has only one copy of one of its chromosomes instead of two
- (2n-1) is missing a chromosome (monosomy)
- E.g. turners syndrome
What are the functions of the Nucleus?
- stores DNA, contains the information needed to make proteins
- controls cellular structure
- directs cellular activities
- produced ribosomes
What are the contents of a nucleus?
- Nucleoli
- genes- genes are arranged along Chromosomes
What is an allele?
- alleles are alternative forms of genes
What are homozygous alleles?
-homozygous alleles have identical information for a trait
What are heterozygous alleles?
- heterozygous alleles have different information for a trait
name two different types of cell division
- somatic cell division and reproductive cell devision
Describe somatic cell division
- The aim is to replicate cells to replace dead or injured cells or add new cells during growth
- occurs through mitosis and cytokinesis
- the end product is 2 identical diploid cells with 46 chromosomes
- occurs in somatic (regular) body cells
- mutation that occurs in somatic division are not passed onto offspring
Describe reproductive cell division
- aim to produce the gamete cells (sperm and oocyte) required for the next generation.
- occurs through meiosis
- occurs only in sex cells
- end product is 4 different haploid cells (gametes) with 23 chromosomes each.
Explain how genetic variation occurs
crossing over increases genetic variation
- occurs in meiosis
- the exchange of genes between homologous ( paired chromosome
Define cancer
cancer is a group of diseases that results from uncontrolled or abnormal cell proliferation
- uncontrolled cell division results in excess tissue called a tumor ( or neoplasm)
What is a malignant tumor?
malignant tumors undergo metastasis (the spread of cancerous cells to other parts of the body)
What is a benign tumor?
- benign tumors do not metastasis ( they do not spread)
Name the type of cancer that arises from epithelial tissue
carcinoma
Name the type of cancer that arises from melanocytes
melanoma
Name the type of cancer that arises from lymphatic tissue
lymphoma
Name the type of cancer that arises from leukocytes
leukaemia
State 3 causes of cancer
- Environmental agents ( e.g. chemical and radiation, these chemicals and radiation are called carcinogens and include: cigarette tar, radon gas and UV light)
- Viruses (e.g. human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer by stimulating abnormal proliferation of cells)
- Genes (abnormalities of the genes that control and regulate cell division
