DNA Flashcards
Describe the process of MITOSIS
Mitosis is nuclear division plus cytokinesis, and produces two identical daughter cells. (PMAT)
(Interphase) - DNA replication, centrosome replication
Prophase - Chromatin condenses into chromosomes , centrosomes migrate to opposite poles of the nucleus, nucleolus dissipates, spindle network forms
Premetaphase - Nuclear membrane breaks down, microtubles invade the nuclear space, chromatids attach to microtubles
Metaphase- Chromosomes line up along equatorial plane
Anaphase - Sister chromatids separate and are pushed to the opposite poles of the cell
Telophase - Nuclear membrane reforms, chromosomes unfold into chromatin, cytokinesis begins (cell divides into two)
How many chromosomes do we have?
46, (22 pairs and a pair of sex chromosomes xx=female xy=male)
Describe the structure of chromosomes
DNA coils around nucleosomes, coils again into super coils and again into chromosomes. There is a centromere in the middle and p (short arm) and q (long arm).
Why is mitosis important?
Produces 2 genetically identical daughter cells - growth and replacement of dead cells
What causes down’s syndrome?
A chromosome abnormality - ie an extra genetic info on chromosome 21.
47, xy + 21
Where does meiosis occur? What is its function?
Meiosis occurs in the gametes for sexual reproduction. Meiosis mantains genetic diversity, it has 2 cell divisions and produces 4 haploid daughter cells.
Describe the process of meiosis
Interphase - replication of DNA
Phase 1 - cross-over (genes sort independently)
MEIOSIS I - produces 2 cells (metaphase, anaphase, telophase, cytokinesis) - ovulation in eggs, division comences at puberty in sperm
MEIOSIS II - produces 4 cells, only if fertilisation occurs in the eggs
(Interphase) - DNA replication, centrosome replication
Prophase - Chromatin condenses into chromosomes , centrosomes migrate to opposite poles of the nucleus, nucleolus dissipates, spindle network forms
Premetaphase - Nuclear membrane breaks down, microtubles invade the nuclear space, chromatids attach to microtubles
Metaphase- Chromosomes line up along equatorial plane
Anaphase - Sister chromatids separate and are pushed to the opposite poles of the cell
Telophase - Nuclear membrane reforms, chromosomes unfold into chromatin, cytokinesis begins (cell divides into two)
What is non-disjunction?
Nondisjunction during meiosis produces eggs or sperm cells that don’t have the normal number of chromosomes.
This occurs during anaphase of either meiosis I (this means two cells will be missing a chromosome, 22, and two cells will have an extra chromosome, 24) or meiosis II (two cells will have normal number of chromosomes, one cell will have one too many, 24, and the other will be missing one chromosome, 22)
What is trisomy?
Trisomy is the condition of having 3 copies of one chromosome type. It is designated as 2n + 1 because the cell has the normal two sets of each 23 types of chromosomes plus an extra copy of one chromosome.
Down syndrome occurs when there are 3 copies of chromosome 21, most trisomic conditions are lethal
What is monosomy?
Monosomy is the condition of having only 1 copy of a chromosome and is designated as 2n - 1.
Turners condition is when a female has just one sex chromosome, X
How many chromosomes has a diploid cell got?
A full set of chromosomes, 22 pairs plus sex chromsomes
How many chromosomes has a haploid cell got?
A single set of chromosomes, 23
What is gonadal/germline mosaicism?
Gonadal / germline mosaicism is when a person has two populations of cells in the gonads (testes or ovaries), one population of cells containing the usual genetic complement whilst the other contains a DNA mutation or chromosome anomaly.
If a sperm or an egg produced from the cells in the parent’s gonads containing the DNA mutation or chromosome anomaly is used to form a fetus, the child will have the genetic condition.
Therefore although the parent is healthy the child has the condition.
A sibling may also have the condition if the sperm or egg is from the patch of cells in the gonad which contains the genetic change. A child would not have the condition if formed from the cells in the gonad with the usual genetic pattern.
Gonadal/germline mosaicism is a likely explanation of the rare situations where a person without a dominant condition can have two children with the same autosomal dominant condition
Describe the structure of DNA
DNA is double stranded helix, present in the nucleus of cells.
It contains deoxyribose and phosphate, creating a diphosphate backbone. The 3’C of the deoxyribose bonds to the 5’C of the phosphate forming a 3’-5’ phosphodiester linkage.
It contains the bases - Adenine and Thymine, Guanine and Cytosine, these are joined to their pairs by hydrogen bonds.
Describe the structure of RNA
RNA has a single strand, it is present in mRNA, rRNA, and tRNA. Contains ribose sugar instead of deoxyribose
It contains the bases - Adenine and Uridine (swap T for U), Guanine and Cytosine, these are joined to their pairs by hydrogen bonds.
What is the function of mRNA?
mRNA template for protein synthesis, it produces in the nucleus, and escapes through the nuclear pore
What is the function of tRNA?
tRNA molecule carries the correct amino acid to ribosomes during translation
Why is DNA degenerate?
The genetic code is described as degenerate, or redundant, because a single amino acid may be coded for by more than one codon.
What is the function of rRNA?
rRNA is part of the ribosome (location of translation)
What is splicing?
RNA splicing occurs after transcription, it removes introns so just the exons remain
Give 3 examples of genetic mutations
Genetic mutations are occur a number of different ways
- duplication
- deletion
- mutation
- splice mutation
- nonsense mutation - introduction of STOP codon
- missense mutation (one nucleotide changes and this changes the amino acid coded for)
- expansion
What is a missense mutation
A missense mutation is a point mutation in which a single nucleotide change results in a codon that codes for a different amino acid. It is a type of nonsynonymous substitution (when aminoacid coded for changes)
What is a nonsense mutation?
A nonsense mutation is also a change in one DNA base pair that introduces a STOP codon. This type of mutation results in a shortened protein that may function improperly or not at all.
What is a Frameshift mutation?
A frameshift mutations can be insertions, deletions, and duplications. This type of mutation occurs when the addition or loss of DNA bases changes a gene’s reading frame. A reading frame consists of groups of 3 bases that each code for one amino acid. A frameshift mutation shifts the grouping of these bases and changes the code for amino acids. The resulting protein is usually nonfunctional.
What is a repeat expansion?
Nucleotide repeats are short DNA sequences that are repeated a number of times in a row. For example, a trinucleotide repeat is made up of 3-base-pair sequences, and a tetranucleotide repeat is made up of 4-base-pair sequences. A repeat expansion is a mutation that increases the number of times that the short DNA sequence is repeated. This type of mutation can cause the resulting protein to function improperly.
What is Allelic heterogeneity?
Allelic heterogeneity is the phenomenon in which different mutations at the same locus cause a similar phenotype.
eg. Cystic fibrosis
Locus heterogeneity
Locus heterogeneity is when mutations in different genes give rise to the same clinical condition
Give an example of
a) a genetic disease
b) multi-factorial disease
c) environmental disease
a) a genetic disease
These are rare, due purely to genetics eg Huntington’s or Down’s syndrome
b) multi-factorial disease
These are common in developed countries, eg diabetes, schizophrenia
c) environmental disease
These are most common in poor countries, eg. accidents, drugs, infections