Discussion 10 Flashcards
What is the primary structure of proteins?
The primary structure refers to the length of amino acid chains.
What characterizes the secondary structure of proteins?
The secondary structure involves polypeptide chains that tend to twist and pleat.
What is the tertiary structure of proteins?
The tertiary structure refers to the folding of protein structures.
What is the quaternary structure of proteins?
The quaternary structure may combine with other proteins to form more complex proteins.
What is the role of Golgi bodies?
Golgi bodies package proteins in membranes (vesicles) and give them a ‘label’ indicating where they are to go.
What is the function of microtubules?
Microtubules transport vesicles to their destinations within or outside of the cell.
What happens to proteins formed in the ER?
Proteins formed in the ER enter the Golgi bodies, where they are wrapped in a membrane and given a shipping address.
How do proteins reach their destination?
Each protein package is attached to a motor molecule that moves along a microtubule to its destination.
What are transmembrane proteins?
Transmembrane proteins allow ions to cross a cell membrane through appropriately shaped channels.
What is a gated channel?
A gated channel changes shape to allow the passage of substances when the gates are open and to prevent passage when closed.
What is a pump transporter?
A pump transporter changes shape to carry substances across a cell membrane.
What are chromosomes?
Chromosomes are ‘matched pairs’ (one from your mother and one from your father).
What are alleles?
Alleles are alternative forms of a gene; a gene pair contains two alleles.
What is a wildtype allele?
A wildtype allele is the typical allele, most common in a population.
What is a phenotype?
Phenotype is the appearance of an organism resulting from the interaction of genes and the environment.
What is a genotype?
Genotype is the full set of genes that a given organism possesses.
What is a mutation?
A mutation is an alteration of an allele that yields a different version of its protein.
What is a dominant allele?
A dominant allele is routinely expressed.
What is Huntington disease?
Huntington disease is a hereditary disease characterized by chorea and progressive dementia, ending in death.
It results from a defect in the huntingtin gene, leading to brain cell death.
What is a recessive allele?
A recessive allele is routinely unexpressed.
What is Tay-Sachs disease?
Tay-Sachs disease is caused by a dysfunction in a gene that produces HexA, leading to lipid accumulation in brain cells.
This results in cell damage.
What is cloning?
Cloning is producing an offspring that is genetically identical to another animal.
What is CRISPR?
CRISPR stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, a form of acquired immunity in bacteria.
It uses RNA to seek out and cut matching viral DNA.
What is the role of CAS9?
CAS9 is an enzyme that snips DNA.
What are transgenic animals?
Transgenic animals have one or more genes from one species introduced into the genome of another.
What are knockout animals?
Knockout animals are those in which a specific gene (or genes) have been removed.
What is eugenics?
Eugenics is the science of improving a human population by controlled breeding to increase desirable heritable characteristics.
What is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)?
BDNF is a protein important for the health of neurons.
What are the versions of the BDNF gene?
The BDNF gene has several versions, including the Va allele (most common) and the Met allele (less effective).
What is epigenetics?
Epigenetics refers to differences in gene expression related to environment and experience.
What are epigenetic mechanisms?
Epigenetic mechanisms do not alter genes but prevent their expression.
What is histone modification?
Histone modification involves molecules binding to histone tails, affecting transcription.
What is DNA modification?
DNA modification involves methyl groups binding to CG base pairs to block transcription.
What is mRNA modification?
mRNA modification occurs when ncRNA binds to mRNA, preventing translation.
What is gene/environment interaction?
Gene/environment interaction highlights how experiences shape our brain and influence epigenetic inheritance.
What is the significance of methylation in suicide?
Methylation is higher in the hippocampus of people who have died by suicide.
How does child abuse affect gene expression?
Child abuse results in methylation of the glucocorticoid receptor gene.
What are some effects of epigenetic changes?
Epigenetic changes can affect development, metabolism, immune response, stress, depression, and PTSD.
Neurotrophic factor
responsible for growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons
