Genetics Flashcards
Gene and Chromosome
Gene- DNA sequence that defines a certain heritable characteristic
Number of genes in an organism does not correlate with the complexity of that organism
Chromosome- DNA molecule that carries genes
Prokaryote & Eukaryote chromosomes
Prokaryote
- Consists of a circular DNA molecule
- Naked- No associated proteins
- Plasmids often present
- One chromosome
Eukaryote
- Liner DNA molecule
- Has histone proteins
- No plasmids
- 2 or more different chromosomes
Chromatids
Chromosomes in prophase and metaphase of mitosis have sister chromatids,
Each has a DNA molecule that was produced by replication during interphase.
Held by a centromere
Autoradiography
John Cairns grew E.coli in a medium containing radioactively labeled thymine, DNA become labeled and not RNA. Placed cells over the membrane, Coated the membrane with a photographic film, left them in the dark fro 2 months. When film was developed, lines of black dots showed position of DNA molecules from E.coli. Discovered DNA molecules are circular and longer that the E.coli cell
Research used the same method to investigate eukaryote chromosome, showed eukaryote chromosomes contain 1 long DNA molecule rather than a number of shorter molecules.
Genome
The whole genetic information of an organism.
The total amount of DNA in one set of chromosomes in a species.
The size of the genome of a species is not related to the complexity of the organism
Prokaryotic DNA
- Bacteria have one circular DNA
molecule, not associated with
proteins. - Extra genetic information is stored on plasmids and can be shared between bacteria.
- Antibiotic resistance genes are often found on plasmid DNA
Eukaryotic DNA
- DNA is associated with proteins
called histones. - Histones are used to wrap DNA
around them to protect from damage & control expression of certain genes. - A pair of identical chromosomes is called a homologous pair, they carry the same genes- possibly different alleles
- A complete set of chromosomes a diploid number of chromosomes.
- Sex cells contain half the number of chromosomes (one from each pair),haploid, to conserve the species’ number of chromosomes after fertilization .
Sex Chromosomes
- 23 pair of chromosomes determines the baby’s gender,
X- larger. Y- Smaller
If two X are present the child is female
If XY are present the baby is male
all other chromosomes are called
autologou).
Karyotype
is the characteristic pattern of chromosomes of an organism,
referring to their size, shape and banding pattern and number.
Karyogram
- Image of all chromosomes of an organism’s cell, Shown in decreasing size of the homologous pairs
- Help determine the sex of the organism
- And also possible chromosomal irregularities that might be disease-causing.
Irregularity in humans is trisomy 21, an extra chromosome in the 21st pair. Cause Down syndrome.
Down Syndrome and Karyogram
Irregularity in humans is trisomy 21, extra chromosome in the 21st pair. Cause Down syndrome.
How Kyragroms can be made
Amniotic fluid sampling- Amniocentesis
- A hypodermic needle is inserted through the abdomen of the mother into the amniotic sack.
- The embryo swims in the amniotic fluid which contains cells the embryo sheds.
- The karyogram is obtained by collecting the DNA from these cells.
Chorionic villus sampling
- Chorionic villi makes up the embryonic side of the placenta.
- These villi are of the embryonic tissue origin, they have the same
cells as the child.
- Sampling the chorionic villi ( needle), child’s cells can be obtained, karyogram constructed.
Fertilization
An event where male and female gamete fuse together to produce a zygote
Meiosis
Type of cell division in which one cell with a diploid nucleus divides into 4 genetically distinct cells with haploid nuclei.
Process where gametes (sex cells) are made.
Meiosis I
Prophase I
- DNA has already been duplicated, the cell contains a double number of chromosomes
- DNA supercoils, chromosomes shorten.
- Nuclear membrane breaks down
- Centrioles move towards the pole
Metaphase I
- Homologous chromosomes pair up at the equator
- Spidle microtubules attach to one chromosome from each pair
Anaphase I
- Spidle microtubule pull chromosomes to opposite poles( They shorten)
Telophase I
- Nuclear membrane developed around each set of chromosomes
- Cell divide into 2 with haploid number of nuclei
-Chromosomes partly uncoil
Cell proceeds to Meoisis II
Meiosis II
Meiosis II phases are identical
to mitosis, but starting number of
chromosomes are halved!
Prophase II
- Chromosomes supercoil again & become shorter.
- Centrioles move to opposite poles
- Nuclear membrane breaks down.
Metaphase II
- Chromosomes line up at the metaphase plate, next to each other across the equator.
- Spindle microtubules attach to the
centromeres of the chromosomes
Anaphase II
- Spindle microtubules pull the sister chromatids apart,
- Each pole receives one DNA
copy of each chromosome
Telophase II
- Each pole of the cell contains half the number of chromatids compared to the beginning of meiosis I, the same number of chromosomes
- Nuclear membrane forms, cell divides into two cells.
- 4 cells are yielded in total, each has half the number of chromosomes
Crossing over
The process through which the non-sister chromatids within a homologous pair, exchange genetic material during prophase I
Recombinants
Exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromosomes of a homologous pair, gametes end up with chromosomes with new gene combinations that were not
present before
Random Orientation
Refers to the fact that the positioning of homologous chromosomes at metaphase plate during metaphase I random
Independent assortment
The orientation of one pair of homologous chromosomes in meiosis 1 is independent of
the orientation of any other pair,
Gene variation and Meiosis
2 processes in meiosis promote genetic variation
- Random orientation of pairs of homologous chromosomes in metaphase I- Random orientation
- Crossing over during prophase 1- Crossing over
Allele
Variation of a gene that differs from another allele by a few bases only. Results in variations of a characteristic in an organism.
A gene can have none as well as several alleles.
Genotype
Combination of alleles of one or more genes (Capital and
lower case letters in Punnett grids). Remember that diploid organisms
have two copies of each chromosome, which allows two to have two alleles per gene.
Genotypic ration- Proportions of the various genotypes produced by the cross
Phenotype
Physical trait that is expressed by a certain genotype (what you can see with your eyes, like eye colour etc.)
Phenotypic ratio- Proportions of the various phenotypes
Homozygous
two of the same alleles
Heterozygous
Two different copies of an allele
Dominant Allele
Allele that is expressed both in homozygous and
heterozygous combinations.
Recessive allele
Dominant alleles that are both expressed when present, since
neither of them overpowers the other ones.
Locus
A fixed, physical location on a chromosome where genes can be
found.
Mendel’s Law of inheritance
Gregor Mendel- Father of genetics
Discovered basic laws of inheritance by cross-fertilizing pea plants with different traits.
- Observed “Hidden” traits that resurfaced after several generations- Recessive alleles
Was not the first biologist to discover this but repeated and held multiple trials to ensure he was right