Genes and Chromosomes

Question 1

What is a gene?

Answer 1

A short length of DNA coding for a specific RNA

Question 2

What is an allele?

Answer 2

A variant of a gene arising through mutation

Question 3

What is a locus?

Answer 3

The position/location of a gene on a chromosome

Question 4

What constitutes your genome?

Answer 4

It is one full set of genes present in the cells forming an individual in one species.

Question 5

What is a gene pool?

Answer 5

All the possible alleles present in all individuals in a community

Question 6

Where are telomeres located on a chromosomes and what is their purpose?

Answer 6

They are located at the ends of each chromosomal arm and prevent chromosomes from sticking together and shortening

Question 7

How are Chromosomes Labelled?

Answer 7

Chromosome is identified with a. number ranging from 1-22 or. X and Y. Each arm’s subregions is then divided into bands identified with a. number

Question 8

What is a Karyotype? How are they arranged and aligned?

Answer 8

A Karyotype is a photographic representation of the chromosome complement of a somatic cell, arranged from homologous chromosomes 1 to 22 then sex chromosomes. They are aligned at centromeres

Question 9

What is Chromatin?

Answer 9

Chromatin is DNA wrapped around histone proteins

Question 10

What are the two types of Chromatin?

Answer 10

Euchromatin: DNA is uncoiled and exposed to enzymes for transcription (genes active)

Heterochromatin: DNA is supercoiled and unavailable for transcription (gene inactive)