Genetics Flashcards
Where is DNA found?
•DNA is in every cell of every living thing
•it is found within the chromosomes of the cell
•chromosomes work to build proteins and assist in duplication or division of the cells
James Watson and Francis Crick
•in 1953, they concluded that the DNA molecule appears as a three-dimensional double helix
Rosalind Franklin and Maurice Wilkins
•they used X-ray crystallography to study DNA’s structure, which helped Watson and Crick with their discovery
What is DNA
•the unique structure of DNA allows it to be the hereditary molecule and allows it to store instructions for directing cell activities
Cell
•a cell is the smallest unit of an organism and cells are known as the building blocks of life
•most human cell types contain a nucleus
Nucleus
•the nucleus control the cell, but it is also where genetic information is stored
•the nucleus contains structures called chromosomes
•chromosomes are made of DNA
Chromosome
•each chromosome is made up of a single molecule of DNA
•the cross shape we associate with chromosomes arises when the DNA copies itself, coils and condenses for cell division (mitosis)
DNA & Genes
•DNA (deoxyribose nucleic acid) carries the genetic information of a living being
•a section of DNA is known as a gene
•genes contain the code for the production of a particular protein within a cell
Locating a gene
•the images show the levels of organization from the nucleus to a chromosome, DNA and finally a gene
23 pairs
•each human body cell contains 46 chromosome (23 pair)
•the pairs carry the same type of genes
•people with specific conditions and syndromes may have an extra chromosome
XX and XY
•the 23rd pair of chromosomes are known as the sex chromosomes
•in females, the chromosome pair are identical and known as XX
•in males, the chromosome pair are different and known as XY
DNA makeup
•phosphate, base, and deoxyribose sugar
Gene shape
double helix
Nitrogen Bases
Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine (a & t, g & c)
Nucleotide
•the backbone of DNA is formed by alternating sugar and phosphates held together by a strong bond
•the rings of the ladder are formed by the four nitrogen bases and are held together by feather by weak hydrogen bonds
What does DNA look like?
•the bases of DNA pair with each other in a predictable way
•a pairs with t
•c pairs with g
How does DNA work?
•the 3 letters of DNA make up codons
•these chemicals are repeated in various orders over and over
•these codons make up genes
•these genes tell cells how to make a protein that controls everything in the cell
Locus
•locus is a term that we use to tell us where on a chromosome a specific gene is
•so it’s really the physical location of a gene on a chromosome
•it’s a way of defining the gene’s neighborhood
•if you consider the entire chromosome as a country where the gene is found, and then a region of the chromosome would be the city
•the more specific area, or the locus, is this particular neighborhood where the gene is found
DNA in forensic science
•DNA fingerprinting is an essential tool in forensic science
•it does not precisely determine the suspects identity but helps narrow it down
DNA sequencing
•developed in 1970s (Sanger sequencing)
•determines the order of neucleotides in DNA
•originally slow and costly, sequencing has become faster and cheaper, leading to entire genome projects like the Human Genome Project
•revolutionized genetics by making it possible to study genetic variations, maps genes associated with diseases, and better understand evolutionary relationships
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
•developed in 1983
•a technique used to amplify small amount of DNA, making it easier to analyze genetic material
•widely used in genetic testing, forensics, and medical diagnostics
•transformed genetics and biology by allowing precise detection of genetic material in areas such as disease diagnosis, forensic science, and environmental monitoring
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
•developed 1970-1980
•organisms whose DNA had been altered using genetic engineering techniques to exhibit desired traits, such as pest resistance in crops
•have significantly impacted agriculture by increasing crop yields, reducing pesticide use, and enabling the development of nutrient-enriched foods like golden rice
Recombinant DNA Technology
•developed in 1973
•involves combining DNA from different organisms to create hybrid molecules that can be replicated in host organisms
•this technology led to the production of human insulin, hepatitis vaccines, and various medical treatments marking the beginning of the biotechnology industry
DNA Fingerprinting
•developed in 1984
•used variations in DNA sequences to identify individuals
•widely used in forensics, paternity testing, and genetic research
•has transformed criminal investigation and legal cases by providing a reliable method for identification based on genetic material, with wide implications in law and security
Gene Therapy (Social Benefits)
•could provide long-term cures for genetic diseases (cystic fibrosis), may lead to longevity of life within patients, reduce the burden on families and caregivers by addressing root causes of genetic diseases
Gene Therapy (Ethical Concerns)
•risk of unintended side effects or mutations in other parts of genome, who can access treatments as they may be expensive and inaccessible to many, misuse for non-medical enhancements such as altering traits not related to health, raising concerns about “designer baby”
Gene Therapy (Societal Impact)
•reduce healthcare costs associated with managing chronic genetic conditions, alter how society views disability and illness with a view of “curing” it, ethical and societal debates may arise regarding what constitutes acceptable genetic modifications
Stem-Cell Research (Social Benefits)
•potential to regenerate damaged tissues and organs, which could treat conditions like diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, advances in personalized medicine where stem cells can be tailored to an individual’s needs, could improve treatment efficacy, reduce the need for organ transplants and risks
Stem-Cell Research (Ethical Concerns)
•use of embryonic stem cells raises moral and ethical issues about the status of embryos, risks related to potential tumor formation from stem cell implants, concerns about “playing God” and altering human biology at a fundamental level
Stem-Cell Research (Societal Impact)
•may lead to major changes in the treatment of chronic conditions and life-threatening diseases, could shift medical research and funding toward regenerative therapies, ethical debates may influence policies around research funding, afecto by scientific advancement
Genetic Screening (Social Benefits)
•can provide early detection of genetic disorders, allowing for proactive management of lifestyle changes, helps parents understand the genetic risks of their children, potentially reducing incedences of genetic disorders, can guide personalized medicine approaches, improving treatment affectiveness
Genetic Screening (Ethical Concerns)
•privacy concerns regarding who has access to genetic information and potential discrimination by insurers of employers, potential psychological impact of knowing one’s genetic predisposition to serious diseases, risk of stigmatization or social pressures based on genetic traits
Genetic Screening (Societal Impact)
•could lead to more preventive healthcare, shifting focus from treatment to early intervention, raises questions about genetic privacy laws and the need for regulatory frameworks, may intensify social divides if access to genetic screening is uneven, particularly if costs remain high
Bioinformatics (Social Benefits)
•enables researchers to analyze large datasets, leading to faster discoveries in disease mechanisms, drug development, and personalized treatments, can enhance our understanding of complex diseases like cancer, potentially leading to better treatments, supports the integration of genomics into everyday healthcare, improving diagnosis and treatment options
Bioinformatics (Ethical Concerns)
•privacy issues related to the storage and sharing of genetic data, with risks of data breaches, consent concerns, as people may not fully understand the implications of sharing their genetic information, risk of misuse of genetic data for surveillance or discrimination
Bioinformatics (Societal Impact)
•could transform healthcare by making it more data-driven and individualized, raises important questions about data ownership, privacy, and the ethics of sharing genetic information, might lead to societal shifts in how we handle personal health data and approach medical privacy
Intro To RNA
•RNA, or ribonucleic acid is a single-stranded molecule similar to DNA but with some key differences
•if has a ribose sugar, unlike DNA’s deoxyribose, and instead of thymine (T), RNA has the base uracil (U), which pairs with adenine (A)
•RNA plays several essential roles in cells, especially in translating the genetic code from DNA to create proteins
Types of RNA and Their Function
•there are three main types of RNA, each with a unique role in protein synthesis:
•Messenger RNA, Transfer RNA, and Ribosomal RNA
•together these types of RNA convert genetic information into functional proteins, which performs various tasks in the cell
Messenger RNA (mRNA)
•carries genetic information from DNA to the ribosome, where proteins are made
Transfer RNA (tRNA)
•brings amino acids to the ribosome, helping to assemble them into proteins
Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
•is a component of ribosomes, providing structural support and helping catalyze protein assembly
Overview of Protein Synthesis
•the process by which cells build proteins, following instructions encoded in DNA
•it consists of two main stages: transcription and translation
•during transcription, the DNA sequence of a gene is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus
•in translation this mRNA travels to the ribosome, where it is used as a template to assemble amino acids into a protein
Transcription
•in transcription, RNA polymerase binds to DNA and unwinds a section of the double helix
•it synthesizes a complementary strand of mRNA based on the DNA template
•the mRNA then exits the nucleus and moves to the ribosome in the cytoplasm
Translation
•in translation, the mRNA is read in sets of three bases called codons, each coding for a specific amino acid
•transfer RNA (tRNA) brings amino acids to the ribosome, matching them to the codons on the mRNA
•these amino acids are linked together to form a polypeptide chain, which folds into a functional protein
•start codon usually AUG, stop codon is UAA or UAG
What is DNA Replication?
•DNA replication as the biological process of producing two identical replicas of DNA from one original DNA molecule
Importance of DNA Replication
•DNA replication is fundamental to cell division, which is how our bodies grow and heal
•Each new cell needs an exact copy of DNA to function properly, so DNA replication ensures genetic information is passed down accurately
•without DNA replication, cells wouldn’t have the instructions needed to build proteins and maintain life