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Genetics Flashcards

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AP® Biology flashcards Biology 101 flashcards
1
Q

Where is genetic material found and what is it?

A

Genetic material is found in the nucleus of a cell and is composed of a polymer called DNA (contained in structures called chromosomes)

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2
Q

What is DNA made up of?

A

DNA is made of two strands, forming a double helix (polymer)

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3
Q

What is a gene?

A

A small section of DNA on a chromosome, which codes for particular sequence of amino acids to make a specific protein.

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4
Q

What is a genome?

A

The genome of an organism is all of its genetic material

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5
Q

How will the study of human genome help medicine?

A
  • It will help with a search for genes linked to different diseases
  • It will help our understanding and treatment of inherited diseases
  • It will help the tracing of human migration patterns from the past.
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6
Q

What is DNA?

A

DNA is a polymer of repeating nucleotide units

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7
Q

What are the four different nucleotides?

A

Each nucleotide consists of a common sugar and phosphate group however, they have one of four different bases (A, T, C, G)

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8
Q

What is DNA comprised of?

A

Two complimentary strand of nucleotides.

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9
Q

Which bases align with which?

A

A C base will link with a G base.
A T base will link with an A base.

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10
Q

What is DNA for?

A

DNA codes for proteins. The order of bases in the DNA controls the order in which amino acids are assembled to produce a particular protein. Three bases form the code for one amino acid.

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11
Q

How are proteins made?

A

Proteins are synthesised on ribosomes. mRNA is a molecule which takes the DNA code from the nucleus to the ribosomes. Carrier molecules, then bring amino acids in a specific order to the ribosome so a specific protein can be made.

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12
Q

What happens when a protein is complete?

A

Protein is folded to form a unique shape, which allows the protein to do their job as enzymes, hormones, or structure, forming proteins (e.g. Collagen.)

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13
Q

What is a mutation?

A

A change in a piece of DNA’s sequence of bases. This alter the sequence of amino acids in the protein the DNA codes for.

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14
Q

What is important to remember about mutations?

A

Mutations occur continuously, and most do not affect the appearance of the protein or its function

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15
Q

What happens if the protein shape is altered?

A
  • A substrate no longer fits the enzymes active site
  • A structural protein loses its strength
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16
Q

What happens when mutations are in non-coding parts of DNA?

A

It may affect how genes are expressed

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17
Q

What is a gamete?

A

A sex cell

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18
Q

What is a chromosome?

A

Long strands of DNA found in a nucleus

19
Q

What is a gene?

A

A section of DNA, which codes for a protein

20
Q

What is an allele?

A

A form of a gene

21
Q

What is meant by dominant?

A

The allele which controls the development of a characteristic, even when only present on one chromosome

22
Q

What is meant by recessive?

A

The allele which controls the development of a characteristic only when dominant allele is not present in either chromosome.

23
Q

What is a homozygous?

A

A genotype when the alleles are the same

24
Q

What is a heterozygous?

A

A genotype when the alleles are different

25
Q

What is the genotype?

A

The types of alleles an organism contains

26
Q

What is the phenotype?

A

The characteristics resulting from the genotype

27
Q

What causes genetic disorders?

A

Faulty genes

28
Q

How are genetic disorders passed?

A

They are inherited

29
Q

What is polydactyly?

A

Polydactyly is a genetic disorder caused by dominant allele. Sufferers have extra fingers or toes. Because it is dominant, the allele needs only to be inherited from one parent.

30
Q

What is cystic fibrosis?

A

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder caused by a recessive allele. Sufferers cell membranes produce too much mucus. Because it is caused by a recessive allele:
- It must be inherited from both parents
- You can carry the allele without having the disorder
- Two parents without disease can have a child with the disorder

31
Q

What can be done to help reduce the prevalence of genetic disorders?

A

Embryonic screening for alleles

32
Q

What are the concerns with embryonic screening?

A
  • People are against the destruction of rejected embryos (abortion)
  • Expensive to screen
  • Screening poses a risk to embryo and mother
  • Can cause prejudice against those with disorders
33
Q

What are the benefits of embryonic screening?

A
  • Stops people struggling with different disorders
  • Reduces health-care costs
  • Baby with condition can be expensive and costs into further life
  • Rejected embryos can be used in stem cell treatment
34
Q

What happened in the mid-19 century to do with inheritance?

A

Gregory Mendel carried out breeding experiments on pea plants and observed the inheritance of characteristics is determined by ‘units’ that are passed on to descendants unchanged.

35
Q

Why were Mendel’s ideas not accepted?

A
  • Chromosomes, DNA and genes were not known about
  • He wasn’t a respected scientist (only a monk)
  • Many scientists were unaware of his work
36
Q

What happened in the late 19th century to do with inheritance?

A

Behaviour of chromosomes during cell division was observed

37
Q

What happened in the early 20th century to do with inheritance?

A

It was observed that chromosomes and Mendel’s ‘units’ behaved in similar ways. This led to the idea that Mendel’s ‘units’ were located on chromosomes.

38
Q

What happened in the mid-20 century to do with inheritance?

A

The structure of DNA was determined and the mechanism of gene function was worked out

39
Q

What is important to know about characteristics?

A

Some phenotypes are controlled by a single gene (red green colour blindness). However, most are a result of multiple genes.

40
Q

What determines the gender of a baby?

A

One of the pairs of chromosomes has the genes that determine sex. In females, the sex chromosomes are the same (XX) and in males, they are different (XY)

41
Q

How do we know if the disease is caused by a dominant allele?

A

If both parents suffer from the disease and they have a child that is not a sufferer, then the disease must be caused by dominant allele

42
Q

How do you know if the disease is caused by a recessive allele?

A

If both parents do not suffer from the disease and I have a child that is a sufferer and the disease is caused by recessive allele and both of the parents are carriers

43
Q

What is a carrier?

A

Carriers have an allele for disease, but don’t actually have the disease themselves. You can only be a carrier for disease if it is caused by recessive allele.

Biology (5 decks)

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