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cellular control Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

what is a mutation

A

a random/spontaneous change to the sequence of bases in DNA

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2
Q

2 types of mutation

A

gene mutations
chromosome mutations

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3
Q

what is a gene mutation

A

change to the base sequence of DNA in one gene

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4
Q

what is a chromosome mutation

A

change to the structure or number of chromosomes

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5
Q

when do gene mutations occur

A

mostly take place during DNA replication (S phase of cell cycle)

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6
Q

where do most mutations occur

A

body (somatic) cells therefore not inherited
associated w mitosis

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7
Q

can mutations occur during meiosis

A

yes; these can be inherited (however chances are low as there is a huge number of sperm cells)

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8
Q

what do mutagens do

A

increase the chance of a mutation occurring

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9
Q

types of mutagens

A

physical
chemical
biological agents

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10
Q

physical mutagens examples

A

ionising radiation e.g. UV, gamma rays, x rays

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11
Q

chemical mutagens examples

A

delaminating agents (convert cytosine bases into uracil bases) e.g. tobacco smoke

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12
Q

biological agents mutagens examples

A

e.g. viruses, agents which change structure of chemical bases

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13
Q

types of gene mutation

A

point (substitution) mutations
insertion or deletion (INDEL) mutations

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14
Q

what is a point mutation

A

one DNA nucleotide is replaced by another which has a different base

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15
Q

what is an INDEL mutation

A

cause a frameshift
one or more nucleotide added/removed therefore sequence of amino acids may be different from the point of mutation onwards

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16
Q

types of point mutation

A

silent mutation
missense mutation
nonsense mutation

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17
Q

what is a silent mutation

A

has no effect on the primary and therefore secondary and tertiary structure of the protein (amino acid coded for stays the same)
DNA is degenerate so reduces the effect of point mutations

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18
Q

what is a missense mutation

A

a change in the base triplet sequence that leads to a change in the amino acid sequence

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19
Q

bodily example of a missense mutation

A

sickle cell anaemia
causes crystallisation of Hb which causes erythrocytes to become sickled so SA:vol ratio decreases and the erythrocytes can block up capillaries and starve organs of O2

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20
Q

what is a nonsense mutation

A

a point mutation may alter a base triplet so that it becomes a STOP codon/triplet, resulting in a truncated/shortened amino acid sequence with no function so the protein is degraded, resulting in the absence of a protein

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21
Q

bodily example of a nonsense mutation

A

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (protein dystrophin is not produced so muscle cells waste away)

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22
Q

explain an INDEL mutation

A

inserting a new gene/extra DNA nucleotides into an existing gene OR deleting sections of DNA nucleotides from an existing gene causes a FRAMESHIFT
frameshift cause the triplets of DNA bases (codons) to become altered
this is because the code is NON-OVERLAPPING (reading frame for RNA polymerase shifts)
this could result in adjacent/nearby genes being switched on/off
functioning genes could become disabled by this frameshift

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23
Q

bodily example of INDEL mutation

A

thalassaemia
Hb disorder due to frameshifts as a result of deletions
Hb cannot sequester Fe3+ ions … must be removed by metal chelation therapy

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24
Q

possible effects of mutations

A

neutral
beneficial
harmful

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25
Q

possible neutral effects of mutations

A

if the mutation is in the non-coding region of the DNA (intron)
if the mutation is silent: although a base triplet has changed, it still codes for the same amino acid and so the protein’s structure is unchanged
if the mutation does cause a change to the structure of the protein and therefore a different characteristic, but the changed characteristic gives no particular advantage or disadvantage to the organisms e.g. ability to smell honeysuckle, presence of ear lobes

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26
Q

example of possible beneficial effect of a mutation

A

ability to digest lactose: many mammals cease to be able to digest lactose after infancy so this ability allows an organism to break lactose down into glucose and galactose, which can be used as respiratory substrate
prevents starvation and reduces chances of osteoporosis

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27
Q

examples of possible harmful effects of mutations

A

phenylketonuria (caused by a substitution mutation in a gene encoding an enzyme involved in phenylalanine conversion i.e. transamination doesn’t occur. if She allowed to build up, it causes brain damage)
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (defected geen encoding dystrophin protein so muscle wastes away)

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28
Q

what does a chromosome mutation affect

A

the whole chromosome, or number of chromosomes within a cell

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29
Q

what are chromosome mutations caused by and when do they occur

A

mutagens
normally occur during meiosis so often lead to developmental abnormalities

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30
Q

types of chromosome mutation

A

duplication
deletion
inversion
translocation

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31
Q

what can duplication as a chromosome mutation lead to?

A

over-expression of a gene
may affect metabolism
suppression drugs needed

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32
Q

what can deletion as a chromosome mutation lead to?

A

absence of a gene (could be fatal e.g. if developmental or regulatory)
if codes for enzyme/hormone, may be dangerous

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33
Q

what can inversion or translocation as a chromosome mutation lead to?

A

all genes still present BUT may inhibit/disable expression of other genes around them

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34
Q

types of transcriptional level regulation

A

regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes (lac operon)
regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes (chromatin remodelling, histone modification, transcription factors)

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35
Q

bacterial DNA
where are genes controlling related functions located

A

one circular chromosome and plasmids
located together to form operons

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36
Q

what is an operon

A

a cluster of genes controlled by a single promoter region

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37
Q

what is the lac operon

A

E.coli normally metabolises glucose as a respiratory substrate, but if glucose is absent and the disaccharide lactose is present, lactose induces the production of 2 enzymes: lactose permease (lacY) and beta galactosidase (lacZ)

38
Q

what does lactose permease do

A

gene encodes channel proteins specific to lactose, which are inserted into bacterial plasma membrane

39
Q

what does B galactosidase do

A

breaks glycosidic bond between glucose and B galactose
glucose and B galactose can then be used as respiratory substrates

40
Q

length of lac operon

A

consists of a length of DNA about 6000 base pairs

41
Q

parts of lac operon

A

lac I gene
promoter region
lac O (operator region: not DNA but does not encode a protein)
lac Z
lac Y

42
Q

what does lac I gene do

A

codes for a repressor protein

43
Q

what is the promoter region

A

where RNA polymerase binds to initiate transcription

44
Q

what is the operator region

A

repressor protein binds here (when operon switched off)

45
Q

lac Z function

A

codes for B galactosidase

46
Q

lac Y function

A

codes for lactose permease

47
Q

describe what happens when the lac operon is switched OFF (ie at high glucose concentrations)

A

lactose absent
repressor protein is constantly produced, and it binds to the operator region
this prevents RNA polymerase binding to the promoter , so the lactose-utilisation genes are not expressed

48
Q

describe what happens when the lac operon is switched on/induced (ie absence of glucose)

A

lactose (inducer) binds to repressor protein and changes its shape so it is inactive and cannot bind to operator region
RNA polymerase can bind to promoter region and transcribe lacZ and lacY genes
translated, folded and modified to become enzymes

49
Q

what does regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes involve

A

epigenetics

50
Q

what is epigenetics

A

control of gene expression through modification of the DNA structure and histone structure
GENES CAN BE SWITCHED ON/OFF

51
Q

examples of mechanisms that can affect the transcription of genes

A

chromatin remodelling
histone modification
trancrisption factors

52
Q

2 forms of chromatin

A

euchromatin: loosely wound, cells in interphase have this
heterochromatin: tightly wound, cells in meiosis/mitosis have this

53
Q

describe chromatin remodelling

A

normally, DNA is tightly coiled around histone proteins (forming chromatin)
during DNA purification, histones need to be broken down to allow access to DNA
this can be done using protease enzymes
euchromatin formed, which RNA polymerase can bind to promoter regions on to cause gene expression

54
Q

describe histone modification of euchromatin

A

reduces the positive charge on the histones
DNA coils less tightly around the histones
certain genes can be expressed

55
Q

describe histone modification of heterochromatin

A

histones become more hydrophobic so they bind more tightly to each other
DNA was more tightly around histones
cell could be undergoing cell division (promoter region inaccessible for RNA polymerase)

56
Q

what are transcription factors

A

proteins that act within the cells nucleus (involved in transcription) to control which genes in a cell are switched on/off

57
Q

transcription factors mechanism

A

slide along part of a DNA molecule seeking out the correct promoter region that they are specific to

58
Q

transcription factors role

A

may aid or inhibit the attachment of RNA polymerase to DNA and either activate or prevent the transcription of that gene
some are involved in regulating cell cycle checkpoints (G1/S, G2/M, metaphase) or synthesis of proteins in G1 and G2
tumour suppressor genes and porto-oncogenes regulate cell division and mutations in these genes could lead to uncontrolled cell division
REGULATE GENE EXPRESSION

59
Q

what percentage of human genome encodes transcription factors

A

8%

60
Q

what is the benefit of a repressor being continuously produced

A

organism doesn’t need to expend energy transcribing/translating genes if substrate is unavailable
this conserves ATP

61
Q

why does E.coli have polycistronic messages? (mRNA that encodes several proteins)

A

allows transcription of several genes at the same time using a single promoter
in metabolic processes, multiple proteins may be required at the same time

62
Q

describe mechanism of cAMP as a second messenger

A

binding of 1st messenger to specific receptor on plasma membrane activates a G protein
adenylyl cyclase activated
ATP converted into cyclic AMP
cAMP activates PKA which activates proteins by phosphorylating them

63
Q

describe the role of cAMP in activating enzymes

A

role as 2nd messenger in cells
activates PKA which phosphorylates enzymes

64
Q

explain why a piece of mRNA is shorter than the gene from which it was transcribed

A

because the product of gene transcription is the precursor pre-mRNA which contains non-coding sections called introns
these introns are not present in mRNA because they are removed by splicing, and the exons either side of them are lined together using ligase enzyme

65
Q

explain why molecules such as adrenaline cannot directly enter a cell

A

they are hydrophilic (not lipid soluble) so cannot diffuse across the phospholipid bilayer due to the hydrophobic fatty acid tails
large
need specific carrier/channel protein or glycoprotein receptor

66
Q

ATP vs cAMP structure

A

ATP: 3 phosphate groups, contains phosphoanyrhide bonds, phosphate bonded to ribose (phosphoester bond)
cAMP: one phosphate group, phosphate bonded to ribose (phosphodiester bond)
BOTH have ribose sugar and adenine base

67
Q

homeotic genes definition

A

large ancient group of genes involved in controlling development of body plan (ensures body parts develop in the correct positions)

68
Q

homeobox genes/sequences

A

a stretch of 180 DNA base pairs (excluding introns)
code for a 60 amino acid sequence (homeodomain)

69
Q

what’s a homeodomain

A

60 amino acid sequence
coded for by homeobox genes
act as transcription factors, which activate or repress certain genes

70
Q

are homeobox genes conserved

A

very similar
highly conserved between animals, plants and fungi

71
Q

what do mutations in homeobox genes lead to?

A

organisms that are not viable (mutations are fatal)
OR could leas to an organism born with deformities which would eliminate it by natural selection

72
Q

what are hox genes

A

a subset of homeobox genes which are only found in animals

73
Q

are hox genes homeobox genes

A

all hox genes are homeobox genes
not all homeobox genes are hox genes

74
Q

what do hox genes do in animals

A

regulate body plan development along the head-tail axis (controls which body parts grow where)

75
Q

example of hox genes in fruit flies

A

could result in body parts growing where they should not so organisms may be selected against

76
Q

hierarchy of homeobox stuff

A

homeotic genes
|
homeobox genes
|
hox genes
|
homeodomain sequence

77
Q

describe the role of homeobox genes in the development of eukaryotic organisms

A

homeobox genes are sequences of 180 DNA base pairs which code for transcription factors of 60 amino acids in length
homeobox genes are expressed in order along the head-tail axis in early embryonic development, and ensure body parts develop in the correct positions
if homeobox genes mutate, this could be lethal for an organism, or body parts may develop in incorrect positions

78
Q

mitosis definition

A

cell division regulated with the help of Hox genes

79
Q

apoptosis definition

A

programmed cell death
in the context of body plan development: it ensures organs/tissues are correct shapes
also involved in ‘dampening down’ the immune response w help of Treg cells

80
Q

describe process of apoptosis

A
  1. cell held together by cytoskeleton proteins (microtubules, microfilaments and intermediate fibres)
  2. enzymes (caspases) digest cytoskeleton proteins and the cell deforms. blebs form and chromatin condenses
  3. cell splits into membrane-bound vesicles (apoptotic bodies). these are engulfed by a phagocyte and digested
81
Q

apoptosis function in limb development

A

causes digits to separate from each other

82
Q

how does apoptosis separate digits

A

morphogenetic apoptosis acting as a stone sculptor
elimination of material by apoptosis
new shape revealed

83
Q

what is syndactyly

A

incomplete separation of digits

84
Q

what is polydactyly

A

too many digits

85
Q

describe control of apoptosis

A

Hox genes encode transcription factors ( cause production of cell signalling molecules leading to apoptosis)
there are many different cell signalling cascades which result in apoptosis (e.g. death of effector cells in immune response, sculpting of digits in foetal development)

86
Q

describe changes in rates of apoptosis and mitosis through life

A

in early life up to end of puberty, rate of mitosis>rate of apoptosis
large parts of adulthood: rate of mitosis and apoptosis are relatively similar
as age progresses, rate of apoptosis>rate of mitosis

87
Q

explain why the process of apoptosis does not damage nearby cells

A

no hydrolytic enzymes are released bc contained within the phagocyte

88
Q

why should the rate of apoptosis in an adult equal the rate of mitosis

A

adults not growing
too much apoptosis leads to cell loss/degradation
too little apoptosis leads to tumour formation

89
Q

describe examples of apoptosis in an organisms development

A

separation of digits to form fingers/toes on hands/feet during limb development
destruction of immune cells
shaping organs/tissues
connections between neurones

90
Q

outline difference between apoptosis and necrosis

A

apoptosis= cell fragments isolated in vesicles and digested. no enzymes released outside cell
necrosis= uncontrolled cell death as a result of enzymes being released outside of cell

biology (27 decks)

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