Chapter 1 Flashcards
Define genetics
Field of study related to inheritance and function of genes and DNA.
Why does genetics matter?
Helps predict and address genetic diseases
Define genetic diseases
Individuals born with errors in their DNA.
What is whole-genome sequencing technology?
Determines the nucleotide sequence of an organism’s DNA. Helps to identify individuals and learn their ancestry/history/biology
What is gene editing technology?
Re-writing the DNA of target organisms which helps prevent diseases.
Define genome
The complete set of an organism’s genetic material. Each cell has 1 complete copy of this.
How many cells is the human body made up of?
Trillions of cells
How many base pairs does the human genome have?
~3billion base pairs
How many chromosomes does a cell have?
23 pairs
Define gene
Segment of DNA that produces a trait. Often produces a protein which then produces the trait
How long is a typical gene?
thousands of base pairs long.
How many genes do humans have?
Between 20,000 and 100,000 depending on what definition you use
What + when did Darwin contribute to Genetics?
1859 with publication of Origin of Species
What + when did Gregor Mendel contribute to genetics?
1865 with documentation of patterns of heredity in pea plants.
What + when did Watson and Crick contribute to genetics?
1953 with proposition of double helix structure.
When did the genome sequencing project begin?
1990s
Pros and Cons of GMOs.
Pro: feeds more people
Con: foods now have pesticide residue which is eaten by people and results in harm. Potential unintended consequences of changing a gene.
Human genome editing pros and cons
Pro: Fix genetic diseases
Con: “designer babies” , unintended consequence of changing gene as a single gene can play multiple roles within the cell.
How many new mutations does a generation get from their parents?
~100 new mutations
What can help with treatment of genetic diseases?
Genetic screening. Either via genetic testing of parents OR prenatal DNA test of the baby.
This can allow efficient treatment of genetic issues.
Define bioinformatics
Field of study related to analyzing and deriving conclusions based on biological (genetic) data. Combines statistics, biology, and computer science.
What can bioinformatics help us to understand?
A person’s ancestry, disease susceptibility, and (potentially) someone’s personality. Also allows for us to create a genetic anthropology and aid in forensic investigations.
Define genetic anthropology
The history and migration of human populations
Pros and cons of bioinformatics
PRO: Suspect identification for crimes, discovering underlying diseases
CON: Corporations can have access to your genome sequence and use it.
MAIN concept of genetic technology
Genetics is a double-edged sword that can be used for good or bad.
