Chromosomal Abnormalities I Flashcards
What can a chromosome not hold together without?
➝ a centromere and intact telomeres
What are chromosomes divided into?
➝ P arm and Q arm
How do histones bind DNA?
➝ they are highly positively charged proteins that are attracted to the negative charge of DNA
How do chromosomes exist as?
➝ chromatin
➝ DNA double helix bound to histones
How many histones form a nucleosome?
➝ 8
What is euchromatin?
➝ ‘open’ DNA that allows gene expression
What is heterochromatin?
➝ highly condensed and genes are not expressed
How many copies of each chromosome do we have?
➝ 2
What do homologs contain?
➝ the same genes but in allelic forms
Why is it important for cells to replicate?
➝ so they have sufficient DNA copies for daughter cells
When new cells are needed what happens?
➝ the cell cycle
What are the phases of the cell cycle and what happens during them?
➝The cell starts with a pair of homologous chromosomes existing as two chromatids (2 lines)
➝They go through G1 where various proteins are produced
➝Then they enter S phase where the DNA duplicates and you get exact copies of the single chromatids (4 lines) but still two chromosomes
➝G2 - synthesis of proteins - microtubules
How many chromosomes do humans have?
➝ 22 pairs of autosomes
➝ 1 pair of sex chromosomes
What is a metacentric chromosome?
➝ P & Q arms are even in length
What are the metacentric chromosomes?
➝ 1,2,3
➝ 16,17,18
What is a submetacentric chromosome?
➝ P arm is shorter than the Q arm
What are the submetacentric chromosomes?
➝ 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
➝19,20, X
What is an acrocentric chromosome?
➝ long Q and small P
What do the satellite arms code for in acrocentric chromosomes?
➝ rRNA
Why doesn’t it matter if some acrocentric chromosomes are missing?
➝ the satellite arms all code for the same rRNA
What do the P arms contain in acrocentric chromosomes?
➝ no new DNA
What are the acrocentric chromosomes?
➝ 13,14,15
➝ 21,22,Y
When are chromosomes visible and why?
➝ metaphase
➝ they are condensed enough to see
What are the two classes of chromosomal changes?
➝ Structural
➝ Numerical
What are the 3 types of numerical abnormalities in chromosomes?
➝ Trisomy
➝ Monosomy
➝ Mosaicism
What is haploid?
➝ one set of chromosomes
➝ N=23 as in a normal gamete
What is diploid?
➝ contains two sets of chromosomes
➝ n=46
What is polyploid?
➝ multiple of the haploid number
➝ 4n = 92
What is aneuploid?
➝ chromosome number which is not an exact multiple of a haploid number due to extra or missing chromosomes
➝ 2n+1 = 47
What are the 3 types of trisomy?
➝ Edwards
➝ Downs
➝ Patau
Describe what happens during meiosis?
➝The chromatids duplicate to form chromosomes then they duplicate again
➝Prophase - nuclear membrane is breaking down
➝Metaphase - chromosomes are aligning across the equator
➝In meiosis the homologous pairs align together allowing recombination
➝Anaphase - one of the homologous chromosomes is pulled apart to the opposite pole - DISJUNCTION
➝Telophase - new nuclear membrane form around the chromosome
What is the difference between meiosis and mitosis?
➝ in meiosis you introduce genetic variation
➝ in mitosis you want to produce identical daughter cells
What kind of cells are needed in mitosis?
➝ diploid
How does aneuploidy arise in meiosis I ?
➝If nondisjunction occurs in meiosis I
Instead of the two homologues pulling apart, they both go into a single cell in the first division
➝ two copies of one chromosome in a single cell
➝ two daughter cells
How does aneuploidy arise in meiosis II?
➝ The first division happens normally
➝ non-disjunction occurs in the second division and one cell has two chromatids
➝ 3 daughter cells