evolutionary genetics

Question 1

RNA functions

Answer 1

structure
template
genetic info carrier/store
biocatalyst
recognition
scaffolding

Question 2

2’OH on RNA properties

Answer 2

unstable
increases chemical flexibility
nucleophile

Question 3

hammerhead ribozyme

Answer 3

RNA motif catalyzing reversible cleavage and ligation reactions at specific site within RNA molecule

Question 4

tetrahymena

Answer 4

unicellular, cilliated protozoan
common/ short generation time/ easily grown

Question 5

tetrahymena RNA

Answer 5

group 1 intron is self-splicing, requiring exogenous guanosine nucleotide

Question 6

hammerhead ribozyme targets

Answer 6

mRNA coding virus receptors
viral RNAs
separates strands into single lengths

Question 7

how do virusoids replicate

Answer 7

rolling circle mechanism

Question 8

steps in SELEX

Answer 8

binding
wash
elution
amplification

Question 9

SELEX

Answer 9

system evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment
allowed identification of aptamers specifically against cell types

Question 10

aptamers

Answer 10

molecules that bind to specific targets

Question 11

what are aptamers used in

Answer 11

biosensors
drug-targeting agents
gene regulation

Question 12

pro ‘RNA-world’

Answer 12

RNA functs for info storage and catalysis
simpler as single molecule replicating
continuity
molecular fossils of NAD and ATP

Question 13

disadvantages of Miller-Urey experiment

Answer 13

done in reducing environment
borosilicate flask likely contributed to organic material

Question 14

SSU RNA

Answer 14

Small sub-unit ribosomal RNA
scaffolding upon which ribosome is based

Question 15

complex chronometer

Answer 15

conserved protein/ nucleic acid with a constant mutation rate acting as a phylogenetic marker

Question 16

universal 3 domains
which share common ancestor

Answer 16

archaea
eukarya
bacteria
archaea and eukarya share common ancestor

Question 17

outgroup

Answer 17

species not a member of group to be rooted

Question 18

eocyte tree

Answer 18

eukaryotes originating from within archaea

Question 19

2 theories for modern human origins

Answer 19

multiregional
out of africa

Question 20

multiregional model

Answer 20

homo sapien populations arose independently in different parts of world to isolated homo erectus species

Question 21

out of africa hypothesis

Answer 21

homo sapiens emerged from Africa, displacing homo erectus populations they encountered
modern humans displaced neanderthals they encountered with no interbreeding

Question 22

how do we test theories on modern human origins?

Answer 22

genetic drift tracking
comparison of mitochondrial DNA
phylogenetic tree from RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms)
SNP identification between 2 humans