Genetics Flashcards
Codon
Triplet of bases, codes for an amino acid, basic unit of genetic information
Intron
Non-coding sequence
Exon
Coding sequence
Transcription
DNA -> mRNA
Translation
mRNA -> Polypeptide
Involves 3 steps: initiation, elongation, conformational change.
Post-translational modification
Occurs post-translation and pre-transcription. Introns are spliced out from mRNA.
Epistasis
Exchange of genetic material between chromosomes.
Point mutation
Involves 1-2 bases
Missense mutation
Triplet coding for one amino acid is altered to code for a different amino acid.
Nonsense mutation
Leads to a stop signal so no mRNA formed.
Silent mutation
No phenotypic consequence
Splice junction mutation
Affects way in which mRNA is spliced together
Pleiotropy
Single genetic defect causes variety of phenotypic effects
Autosomal dominant
Males and females equally affected.
Can have variable expression.
Can have reduced penetrance.
X-linked dominant
Affected male + unaffected female = all daughters affected, but no sons.
Unaffected male + affected heterozygous female = half of all children affected.
No male-to-male transmission
X-linked recessive
All male offspring manifest abnormal phenotype. All daughters of affected male will be carriers. No male-to-male transmission
Endophenotype
Any marker that is heritable and present in high proportion of family with disease. Eg, decline in working memory in schizophrenia. Also called an intermediate phenotype.
Huntington’s disease
Autosomal dominant.
Caused by expansion of CAG repeats in huntingtin gene on short arm of chromosome 4.
Severity depends on number of repeats.
Phenomenon of anticipation (earlier age of onset between generations).
Prader-Willi syndrome
Microdeletion on long arm of chromosome 15.
Inherited from father (c.f. Angelman’s).
Characterised by eating issues, learning disability, compulsive behaviours, skin picking.
Increased risk of psychosis.
Angelman’s syndrome
Mutation on long arm of chromosome 15.
Inherited from mother (c.f. Prader-Willi).
Characterised by microcephaly, severe learning disability, seizure disorder, distinctive facies with prominent jaw and wide mouth, ataxic gait, paroxysmal outbursts of laughter.