Control of gene expression

Question 1

Where does transcription happen?

Answer 1

In the nucleus

Question 2

What is transcription?

Answer 2

The process by which mRNA copies a strand of DNA

Question 3

What is the role of RNA polymerase during transcription?

Answer 3

To join nucleotides together to for mRNA/premRNA

Question 4

What is an inversion mutation?

Answer 4

A group of bases separate from the sequence and rejoin in the same position but in the reverse order

Question 5

What is a translocation mutation?

Answer 5

A group of bases separate from the sequence and are inserted into the wrong chromosome

Question 6

What is an addition mutation?

Answer 6

An extra bases is added to the wrong chromosome

Question 7

UV light is an example of a mutagenic agent. Give another.

Answer 7

Mustard gas, ionising radiation

Question 8

What is the definition of a totipotent cell?

Answer 8

A cell that is able to give rise to any type of cell

Question 9

What is a pluripotent cell?

Answer 9

A cell that is able to give rise to most types of cell

Question 10

What is a multipotent cell?

Answer 10

A cell that is able to give rise to a limited range of cell types

Question 11

What is a unipotent cell?

Answer 11

A cell that can only give rise to one type of cell

Question 12

Muscle stem cells are unipotent. Give another example

Answer 12

Cardiomyocyctes

Question 13

What is the definition of an induced pluripotent cell?

Answer 13

A unipotent cell that has been genetically altered so that they are pluripotent
(Acquire characteristics of an embryonic stem cell)

Question 14

Where do multipotent cells originate from?

Answer 14

Body tissue

Question 15

What is an example of a multipotent cell?

Answer 15

Adult stem cells in the bone marrow

Question 16

Where are pluripotent cells found?

Answer 16

In the embryo

Question 17

Give an example of a pluripotent cell.

Answer 17

Embryonic stem cell

Question 18

Give an example of a totipotent cell

Answer 18

Zygote

Question 19

Where do totipotent cells originate from?

Answer 19

Zygote

Question 20

What is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)?

Answer 20

Single base variations in the genome that are associated with disease and other disorders

Question 21

Give the definition of the genome

Answer 21

All the genetic material in an organism

Question 22

Give the definition of the proteome

Answer 22

All the proteins produced in a given type of cell (cellular proteome) or organism (complete proteome) at a given time under specified conditions

Question 23

Why is is relatively easy to determine the proteome of prokaryotes? Give two reasons

Answer 23

Vast majority of prokaryotes have just one, circular piece of DNA that is not associated with histones
No non-coding portions DNA

Question 24

What are the five general stages of making a protein using DNA technology?

Answer 24

Isolation
Insertion
Transformation (transfer into suitable hosts)
Identification (hosts have taken up gene)
Growth/cloning

Question 25

Give three methods of producing DNA fragments

Answer 25

mRNA to cDNA using reverse transcriptase
Restriction endonuclease to cut fragments from DNA
Gene machine to create desired structure

Question 26

Where would be a good place to find a gene to code for insulin?

Answer 26

Beta cells from islets of Langerhans

Question 27

Describe how a DNA fragment could be produced using reverse transcriptase

Answer 27

Find mRNA which codes for the desired gene (e.g. mRNA from B cells from the islets of Langerhans)
Reverse transcriptase uses mRNA as a template to form cDNA
cDNA is isolated by hydrolysis of the mRNA w/ an enzyme
DNA polymerase uses the cDNA template to form double stranded DNA