Genetics Flashcards
Specific sequence allowing an initial binding site for RNA polymerases
Promoter region
What structure opens up the DNA strands during Transcription?
RNA Polymerase
What acts as a “switch” to initiate transcription?
Phosphorylation
These are proteins involved in the process of transcribing DNA into RNA, by initiating and regulating the transcription of genes
Transcription factors
Which stages of the cell cycle do chemotherapy drugs mainly target?
“S” and “M” phases
What are the three main components to DNA structure?
The nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, guanine, and cytosine), a phosphate group, and a 5-carbon sugar group
What is the difference between chromatin and chromosomes?
Chromatin fibers are long and thin. They are uncoiled structures found inside the nucleus. Chromatin has a lower order of DNA organisation.
Chromosomes are compact, thick and ribbon-like. Chromosomes have a higher order of DNA organization.
What is chromatin?
DNA is packaged by special proteins called histones to form chromatin. The chromatin further condenses to form chromosomes.
How can mutations affecting DNA packaging cause disease?
Mutations affecting DNA packaging are often fatal, but Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome is one example.
What disease results from a mutation in histone acetyl-tranferase CREBBP?
Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, which features mental retardation, facial abnormalities, broad thumbs, and broad great toes.
The study of heredity, the process by which characteristics are passed from parents to offspring
Genetics
A unit of biological information that encodes a specific protein or regulatory molecule
Gene
The most common variations that we find within genomes are known as
single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
What are the four different nitrogenous bases in DNA?
Adenine, Thymine, Guanine, and Cytosine
Which nitrogenous bases are the purines?
Adenine and Guanine
Which nitrogenous bases are the pyrimidines?
Cytosine and Thymine
Adenine pairs with _________ in DNA
Thymine (remember “apples in trees”)
Cytosine pairs with __________
Guanine (remember “cars in the garage”)
How many pairs of homologous chromosomes do human cells have? (And the one exception to that?)
23 pairs (exception is gametes with 23 chromosomes)
Genetic material is duplicated in which stage of the cell cycle?
The “S” stage (S for Synthesis)
How many pairs of chromosomes are there at the end of S phase?
46 pairs (92 chromatids)
Which stage of mitosis is this?
- Chromatin begins condensing into chromosomes
- Mitotis spindles begin to form
- Centrosomes begin to move in opposite directions
- Nucleolus dissapears
Prophase
Which stage of mitosis is this?
- Chromosomes align on a theoretical line known as the metaphase plate
- Centrosomes have moved to opposite ends of the cell
- Cell checks that all chromosomes are aligned properly along the metaphase plate
Metaphase
Which stage of mitosis is this?
- Sister chromatids are pulled to opposite ends of the cell
- The spindle fibres contract, breaking the chromatids at the centromere and moving them to opposite poles of the cell
- Spindle fibres not attached to chromatids will elongate the cell to prepare the cell for division
Anaphase
Which stage of mitosis is this?
- The cell has elongated and is nearly finished dividing
- Cell-like features begin to reappear such as reformation of two nuclei (one for each cell)
- The chromosomes decondense and unwind into chromatin
- Mitotic spindle fibres are broken down
Telophase
This is the process where a single cell divides twice to produce four cells containing half the original amount of genetic information, resulting in four genetically unique gametes.
Meiosis
Name the three key elements of Meosis I
- DNA replication
- Recombination
- Cell division
Which phase of meiosis involves a further cell division cycle?
Meiosis II
Interphase consists of which steps? (hint: cell cycle)
G1 - Metabolic changes prepare the cell for division. Cell contents (excluding the chromosomes) are duplicated
S phase- Genetic material is replicated. Each chromosome now consists of two identical sister chromatids
G2- The cell “double checks” the duplicated chromosomes, making repairs as needed. Metabolic changes assemble the cytoplasmic materials necessary for mitosis and cytokinesis.
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- Each chromosome is now composed of two sister chromatids containing identical genetic information.
- The chromosomes pair up so that both copies of Ch 1 are together, then Ch 2, and so on.
- RECOMBINATION/CROSSING OVER OCCURS HERE
Prophase I
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- The chromosomes line up next to each other along the equator of the cell.
- Meiotic spindle fibres attach to one chromosome of each pair
Metaphase I
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- The pair of chromosomes are pulled apart by the meiotic spindle, which pulls each chromosome to opposite poles of the cell.
- In this stage, the sister chromatids stay together
Anaphase I
Which phase of meiosis is this?
At each pole of the cell, a full set of chromosomes gather together.
- The single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells, each containing a full set of chromosomes within a nucleus
Telophase I
Which phase of meiosis is this?
Chromosomes condense into X-shaped structures
- The membrane around the nucleus dissolves away, releasing the chromosomes
- Centrioles duplicate and meiotic spindle re-forms
Prophase II
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- The sister chromatids line up end-to-end along the equator of the cell
- Centrioles are now at opposite poles
- Meiotic spindle fibres at each pole attach to each of the sister chromatids
Metaphase II
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- Sister chromatids are then pulled apart and move to opposite poles
- The separated chromatids are now individual chromosomes
Anaphase II
Which phase of meiosis is this?
- The chromosomes complete their move to opposite poles of the cell.
- The full set of chromosomes gather together at each pole
- The cells go through cytokinesis to form four haploid (genetically unique) “granddaughter” cells, or gametes
Telophase II and cytokinesis
This is the exchange of genetic material between two strands of DNA that contain long stretches of similar base sequences
Homologous recombination
This process plays a critical role in the repair of double stranded DNA nicks and increases genetic diversity by enabling the shuffling of genetic material during chromosomal crossover in meiosis.
Homologous recombination
This is a type of trait determined by the expression of a SINGLE gene or allele
Monogenic trait
Which type of trait follows Mendel’s law of heredity?
Monogenic traits
This is when disease would result from a single pair off genes is involved
Monogenic disease
List some examples of monogenic diseases
Sickle cell anemia
Cystic fibrosis
Huntington’s disease
Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
This terms refers to a characteristic that is controlled by more than two genes- also called “multifactorial inheritance.”
Polygenic traits
This type of inheritance patterns normally show a normal (bell-shaped) distribution curve. It shows continuous variation, such as the variations of skin pigmentation.
Polygenic traits
Name some examples of diseases with polygenic traits
Hypertension
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes mellitus
Name some examples of X-linked conditions
Haemophilia
Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy
Genetic conditions associated with mutations in genes on the X chromosome are called
X-linked disorders
How do men develop an X-linked genetic condition?
In males (who only have one X chromosome), a mutation in the copy of the gene on the single X chromosome causes the condition, so they would have inherited the mutated gene from their mother.
Describe how a female would express an X-linked condition
Females (who have two X chromosomes) must have a mutation on both X chromosomes in order to be affected with the condition.
Describe how a daughter could be a carrier of an X-linked condition, but not express the disease
If only the father or the mother has the mutated X-linked gene, the daughters are usually not affected and are called carriers because one of their X chromosomes has the mutation but the other one is normal.
What type of genetic mutation is responsible for sickle cell anemia? (hint: N-S…)
Non-synonymous changes
Mutations in which genes result in maternally inherited diseases (other than X-linked)?
Mitochondrial genes
Leber’s hereditary optic atrophy and myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibres are what type of genetically inherited disorders?
Mitochondrial disorders
DNA mutations in the germline result in ________ changes.
heritable
When DNA damage/mutations occur in the _______, this results in changes that are only present within the individual’s lifetime. Contribute to ageing and diseases such as cancer
soma
Can a mutation within soma cells get passed on to pregency cells?
Yes, the mutation will carry on into the progeny cells of any reproduction /replication from the original mutated cell.
What is the source of all genetic variation?
Mutations
Genetics mutations can be harmful, neutral, or _________.
advantagous
Most mutations are slightly ___________
deleterious
Polymerases invloved in DNA replication have a _________ exonuclease activity, this allows for proof reading.
3’ to 5’
There are greater than 130 specific genes invloved in DNA repair. Name the three types of genes mentioned in lecture that perform DNA repair
- _______ excision repair
- _______ excision repair
- _________ repair
- Base
- Nucleotide
- Mismatch
What type of damage can occur as a result of radiation exposure?
Double stranded breaks in DNA
There is a specific system of repairing double stranded DNA breaks, often the result of radiation exposure. What is this system called?
Recombination repair