Genetics Flashcards
What is the functional unit of the genome? How is it regulated?
- Gene
- Transcription
Define transcriptome
Expressions of genes modified by external influences (acetylation, phosphorylation, etc.)
Define microbiome
Constellation of viruses, bacteria, and fungi that colonize various human tissues
How much of DNA is expressed?
- Only 10% (25,000 genes)
- Other 90% do not encode genes and may serve a structural role
What causes gene silencing?
Methylation of cytosine
What does methylation of cytosine result in?
Gene silencing
Define imprinting
Inherited methylation of certain genomic regions (e.g. silencing of one X chromosome in females)
How many codons are possible?
4 bases (4^3) = 64
Describe codons
- Triplet of bases (64 possible)
- Each codon specifies 1 of 20 different amino acids
Define degeneracy vs. ambiguity
- Multiple codons can specify 1 amino acid (degeneracy)
- BUT a codon will only encode 1 protein
What is the initiation codon?
AUG
What are the termination codons?
UAA
UAG
UGA
Among women in their 40s, more than 25% of all pregnancies are estimated to involve:
- Trisomic conception
- Vast majority of these spontaneously abort (only trisomy 13, 18, 21, and sex chromosome survive to term)
Describe trisomy 13
- Median survival 2.5 days (1 in 20 survive more than 6 months)
- Holoprosencephaly (forebrain fails to develop into hemispheres)
How do infants with trisomy 18 present?
Clenched fist with 2nd and 5th digits overlapping the 3rd and 4th
Describe Klinefelter Syndrome
47, XXY karyotype
How do males with Klinefelter present?
- Thin build, disproportionately long arms and legs
- Mostly normal intelligence
- Gynecomastia
- Testicular dysgenesis
- Taurodontism (enlargement of molar teeth)
What is Klinefelter with subnormal intelligence or mental retardation associated with?
Higher number of X chromosomes
What are the Klinefelter variants?
- 48, XXYY
- 48, XXXY
- 49, XXXYY
- 49, XXXXY
Describe XYY super male
- Nondisjunction at 2nd meiotic division (fertilization with 2 sperms would result in 69, XYY)
- Learning problems at school
- Delayed emotional maturity
Describe Turner Syndrome
- XO
- Short stature
- Ovarian failure w/high LH/FSH
- Webbed neck 2/2 lymphedema
- Ortho abnormalities
- Shield chest
- HTN
Webbed neck and shield neck indicates:
Turner Syndrome (XO)
Gynecomastia and testicular dysgenesis with normal intelligence indicates:
Klinefelter Syndrome
Describe XXX syndrome
Typically no unusual physical features/medical problems
Why are there usually no physical features/medical problems a/w XXX syndrome?
Inactivation of all but 1 X chromosome
Define silent mutation
No ultimate consequence
Define missense mutation
- Change occurs in a coding region and alters an amino acid
- May result in non-functional protein