Chromosomal Abnormalities I Flashcards
What can a chromosome not hold together without?
β a centromere and intact telomeres
What are chromosomes divided into?
β P arm and Q arm
How do histones bind DNA?
β they are highly positively charged proteins that are attracted to the negative charge of DNA
How do chromosomes exist as?
β chromatin
β DNA double helix bound to histones
How many histones form a nucleosome?
β 8
What is euchromatin?
β βopenβ DNA that allows gene expression
What is heterochromatin?
β highly condensed and genes are not expressed
How many copies of each chromosome do we have?
β 2
What do homologs contain?
β the same genes but in allelic forms
Why is it important for cells to replicate?
β so they have sufficient DNA copies for daughter cells
When new cells are needed what happens?
β the cell cycle
What are the phases of the cell cycle and what happens during them?
βThe cell starts with a pair of homologous chromosomes existing as two chromatids (2 lines)
βThey go through G1 where various proteins are produced
βThen they enter S phase where the DNA duplicates and you get exact copies of the single chromatids (4 lines) but still two chromosomes
βG2 - synthesis of proteins - microtubules
How many chromosomes do humans have?
β 22 pairs of autosomes
β 1 pair of sex chromosomes
What is a metacentric chromosome?
β P & Q arms are even in length
What are the metacentric chromosomes?
β 1,2,3
β 16,17,18
What is a submetacentric chromosome?
β P arm is shorter than the Q arm
What are the submetacentric chromosomes?
β 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12
β19,20, X
What is an acrocentric chromosome?
β long Q and small P
What do the satellite arms code for in acrocentric chromosomes?
β rRNA
Why doesnβt it matter if some acrocentric chromosomes are missing?
β the satellite arms all code for the same rRNA
What do the P arms contain in acrocentric chromosomes?
β no new DNA
What are the acrocentric chromosomes?
β 13,14,15
β 21,22,Y
When are chromosomes visible and why?
β metaphase
β they are condensed enough to see
What are the two classes of chromosomal changes?
β Structural
β Numerical
What are the 3 types of numerical abnormalities in chromosomes?
β Trisomy
β Monosomy
β Mosaicism
What is haploid?
β one set of chromosomes
β N=23 as in a normal gamete
What is diploid?
β contains two sets of chromosomes
β n=46
What is polyploid?
β multiple of the haploid number
β 4n = 92
What is aneuploid?
β chromosome number which is not an exact multiple of a haploid number due to extra or missing chromosomes
β 2n+1 = 47
What are the 3 types of trisomy?
β Edwards
β Downs
β Patau
Describe what happens during meiosis?
βThe chromatids duplicate to form chromosomes then they duplicate again
βProphase - nuclear membrane is breaking down
βMetaphase - chromosomes are aligning across the equator
βIn meiosis the homologous pairs align together allowing recombination
βAnaphase - one of the homologous chromosomes is pulled apart to the opposite pole - DISJUNCTION
βTelophase - new nuclear membrane form around the chromosome
What is the difference between meiosis and mitosis?
β in meiosis you introduce genetic variation
β in mitosis you want to produce identical daughter cells
What kind of cells are needed in mitosis?
β diploid
How does aneuploidy arise in meiosis I ?
βIf nondisjunction occurs in meiosis I
Instead of the two homologues pulling apart, they both go into a single cell in the first division
β two copies of one chromosome in a single cell
β two daughter cells
How does aneuploidy arise in meiosis II?
β The first division happens normally
β non-disjunction occurs in the second division and one cell has two chromatids
β 3 daughter cells