Chapter 2 Flashcards
what is the function of chromatin?
functions of chromatin:
- packing DNA into smaller volumes
- strengthening DNA for meiosis and mitosis
- prevents damaging DNA
- controls gene expressio and replication
what are two different types of chromatin?
- heterochromatin
> found in peripheral areas of nucleus
> responsible for gene regulation and protection of chromosomal integrity
- euchromatin
> less intense than heterochromatin
> tightly packed DNA, RNA and protein
> rich in gene expression and often under active transcription
what is the centromere?
centromere:
> where sister chromatids are joined together
> essential for segregation during meiosis/mitosis
what is the telomere?
telomere
> end of chromosomes
> long array of tandem repeats
>>> 5’- TTAAGGG-3’
what is a problem during replication?
the final okazaki fragment cannot be printed
> there is no primer site to attach to
> DNA molecule would get shorter with every replication
> even if primer binds exactly at the end of the chromosome, there is no “replacement” of primer
replication problem at telomeres
> solution?
solution:
> telomerase: used as a template to extend the 3’ end
> is only active in the early embryo and after birth in reproductive cells and stem cells
what happens with cells that lack telomerase?
cells that lack telomerase activity undergo chromosome shortening every time they divide
> critical factor: maintain a protein cap
> cancerous cells are able to divide continously and often show overactive telomerase
somatic cells are …?
germ cells are …?
somatic cells are diploid
> 2n chromosomes
germ cells are haploid
> n chromosomes
what is the difference between mitosis and meiosis?
mitosis:
> normal cell division
meiosis
> cell division to form germ cells
> 4 haploid gametes are formed
sex chromosomes men vs women
problem in men?
women: each chromosome has a fully homologous partner
> 22 autosomal pairs
> 2 x chr
men problem:
> X and Y are diferent
> they do pair however during prophase 1, due to short regions of homology between X and Y
chr Y, how many base pairs?
how much of total DNA?
how many genes?
how many proteins?
chr Y
> 58 million bp
> 0.38% of total DNA
> 86 genes
> 23 distinct proteins
what does gene SRY do?
gene SRY
> triggers testis development, determines sex
chr Y cannot do what?
> exeption?
> implications?
chr Y cannot recombine with X
> exeption: short homologous regions
> rest are non-recombining regions
> SNPS in non recombining regions are used for tracing direct paternal ancestral lines
what is X-inactivation?
why does it happen?
X-activation is a special form of imprinting
> one of the female X chr is silenced in every cell
> about 12 days after conception, half of female cells express paternal X and half maternal X -> genetic mosaics
> choice which X is random, but permanent
why:
> so females do not have twice as many X chr gene products as males (dosage compensation)
how many basepairs in entire human genome?
entire genome:
> 3.146 billion bp
what is a karyogram?
karyogram:
> set of chromosomes of an organism (banded appereance)
what is a critical characteristics of heterochromatin?
in heterochromatin, transcription is limited
what is the difference between
consitutional and somatic chromosomal abnormalities?
consitutional
> present in all cells of the body
> results of abnormal sperm or egg
somatic (acquired)
> present in only certain cells or tissues of an individual (mosaic)