Chromosomal abnormalities Flashcards
What is the definition of diploidy?
There are two sets of chromosomes, one from each parent
Chromosomes form a number of homologous pairs
Describe the loci pattern on homologous chromosomes?
Homologous chromosomes have identical sets of loci
What is a locus?
A positioned occupied in a chromosome by a particular gene/allele
How many pairs of autosomes are there?
22
Which proteins are associated to DNA?
Histone proteins
What is the term used to describe the DNA-histone complex?
Chromatin
How many histone molecules are wound around DNA?
8
What is the characteristic description in regards to nucleosomes during the non-division of DNA?
Long chains of nucleosomes
Which type of staining is used to form a recognizable band pattern on chromosomes?
Giemsa staining
What is an ideogram?
Diagrammatic representation of the karyotype that represents the homologous pairs of chromosomes present in the nucleus; pairs ordered in size, centromeres are aligned (short arm uppermost )
What is giemsa staining?
G-banding
A cytogenetic technique that enables the production of a visible karyotype by staining condensed chromosomes
Which stage is a giemsa stain taken?
Metaphase
What is the purpose of a trypsin solution during Giemsa staining?
Partially hydrolyzes the chromosomes, and subsequently stained with Giemsa
What do dark bands represent during Giemsa staining?
Adenine-thymine rich, therefore are gene poor
Which protein prevents chromosome unraveling?
Telomere
What is haplosufficiency?
This occurs whereby a single copy of a functional gene at a locus in a heterozygous combination with a variant allele is sufficient to maintain normal function/phenotype.
Heterozygote carriers of recessive alleles exhibit haplosufficiency.
Demonstrates dominant gene action within homologous pairs in diploids
What do imprinted genes mean?
Epigenetic dependent causes genes to be expressed in a parent-of-origin specific manner
Epigenetic modification on chromosomes inactivates expression of genes within the germline of the parents and are maintained through mitotic cell division in the somatic cells of an organism
How does histone modification result in the inactivation of genes?
Methylation of histones results in the gene present on the maternal and paternal homologous being inactivated -transcription is repressed
What is haploinsufficiency?
The circumstance whereby a single copy of a gene at a locus within the homologous pair is inactivated or deleted and the remaining functional copy of the gene is inadequate to produce the required gene product to preserve normal function
Both alleles are required for phenotypic expression
How much blood is collected as a sample for a Giemsa stain?
0.5ml of blood in a 5ml culture medium
What is added to a blood sample selected for a Giemsa stain?
Mitogen phytohemagglutinin
What is the purpose of mitogen phytohemagglutinin?
Stimulates lymphocyte b cells to divide
What is a mitogen?
A substance that induces or stimulates mitosis
Mitogen triggers signal transduction pathways involving mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) leading to mitosis
How long is the culture suspended for during Giemsa staining?
48-72 hours
Why is the Giemsa culture cultured for 48-72 hours?
Enables subsequent divisions and establishes sufficient sample size.
What substance is added 48-72 hours of culturing?
Colchinine
What is the purpose of colcemid in a Giemsa stain?
Increases the proportion of cells at metaphase, through spindle fiber inactivation - induces cell arrest in metaphase, inhibiting the continuation of mitosis
How does colcemid work?
Induces cell arrest in metaphase, inhibiting the continuation of mitosis; depolymerizes microtubules, and limits microtubule formation, thus arresting cels and allowing cell harvest and karyotyping to be conducted
Why is hypotonic potassium chloride solution added to a Giemsa culture?
Establishes a water potential gradient, therefore, stimulating osmosis in the intracellular direction. The influx of water contributes towards cell swelling, increasing cytoplasmic volume to assist in the chromosomal movement
What ratios should methanol and acetic added be added to a Giemsa stain?
3:1
What enzyme is added in a Giemsa stain?
Trypsin, to establish recognizable banding pattern
What is a chromosome non-disjunction mutation?
This occurs when members of a homologous pair fail to separate during meiosis. This may occur when sister chromatids fail to separate during anaphase-II
Causes a gamete to be absent from a sex chromosome, associated with the age of the parent
What is Down’s syndrome?
Trisomy-21
Non-disjunction of the pair of chromosomes designated 21 leads to some gametes with 2 copies of 21, and some with none. Thus gamete fusion will result in zygote with 3 copies of chromosome-21 –> Individuals with Down’s syndrome have 47 chromosomes
What are the pathologies of Down’s syndrome?
Hypotonia, smallmouth, protruding tongue, and mental disability
Medical complications include vulnerability to infections, congenital heart defects, and hypothyroidism
What is Turner’s syndrome?
Monosomy X, therefore 45 chromosomes
Describe the fertility of triploid individuals?
Genetically infertile as pairing is incorrect
Where are diploid spermatogonia produced?
Seminiferous tubules in the testis
Which cells are produced at the end of meiosis 1 in spermatogenesis?
Secondary spermatocyte (haploid)
Primary spermatocytes are diploid or haploid?
Diploid
Which cells do secondary spermatocytes mature into?
Spermatids –> Spermatozoa
How many mitotic divisions do primary spermatocytes undergo?
23 mitotic divisions