Genetics, Cell Cycle & Inheritance (SAC 1) Flashcards
define Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
a double-stranded nucleic acid chain made up of nucleotides. DNA carries the instructions for proteins which are required for cell and organism survival
define Nucleotide
the monomer unit of nucleic acids. Made up of a nitrogen-containing base, a sugar molecule (ribose in RNA and deoxyribose in DNA), and a phosphate group
define Gene
a section of DNA that carries the code to make a protein
define Genome
the complete set of DNA contained within the haploid set of an organism’s chromosomes
define Allele
Alleles are different forms of the same gene but with small differences in their base sequence.
define Locus
the fixed position on a chromosome where a particular gene is located
where does DNA sit and what does it form?
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sits inside the nucleus of your cells, forms the major component of chromosomes and contains coded genetic instructions.
how is DNA formed?
It is formed by the continuous pairing of base pairs into a longer, double-stranded nucleic acid chain.
what is DNA made up from?
The genetic material DNA is a complex molecule built of many basic building blocks or monomers called nucleotides
what are nucleotides made up of?
- A deoxyribose sugar
- A phosphate group
- A nitrogen-containing base
what are the nitrogenous bases?
- Adenine (A)
- Thymine (T)
- Guanine (G)
- Cytosine (C)
what are the complementary base pairs?
Adenine (A) and Thymine (T)
Guanine (G) and Cytosine (C)
what is chargaff’s rule?
Amount of Adenine = amount of Thymine
Amount of Guanine = amount of Cytosine
what did watson and crick identify DNA to be?
identified the 3D structure of DNA as being two nucleotide chains arranged to form a double helix
how do genes make proteins and what determines the protein?
- A gene is a particular section of DNA that codes for the creation of an individual polypeptide chain (protein).
- It acts like a set of instructions, which a cell will then read to make the proteins required for a range of cellular functions.
- The order of bases in the double helix determines which protein gets made.
how many copies of genes does each person have?
Each person has two copies of each gene, one inherited from their mother and the other from their father.
how many different genes are inside each of your cells?
roughly 25 000
what is a genome and what does it house?
This collection of genes is called your genome, which houses all of the genetic information needed to build and maintain you: a complex organism.
how many alleles are present at the gene locus?
Only two alleles are present at the gene locus of any one individual, each of which is inherited from one parent (one from mum and one from dad).
what contributes to differences in people?
Almost all genes are the same across every human being.
However, a small percentage of genes (<1%) are slightly different between people, which contributes to the immense differences we see from person to person.
These differences are the result of alleles.
define Histone protein
highly basic proteins that associate with DNA inside the nucleus and help it condense into a chromosome allowing it to fit inside the nucleus
define Chromosome
the structure made of protein and nucleic acids that is DNA tightly wrapped around histone proteins, carries genetic information of a cell
define Somatic cell
any cell that is not a reproductive cell (such as sperm and egg cells). Somatic cells are diploid (2n), meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes – one inherited from each parent
define Chromatid
one half of a replicated chromosome. Prior to cell division, chromosomes are duplicated and two copies join together at their centromeres (joined chromatids are known as sister chromatids)
define Homologue
a homologous chromosome
where does a genome sit in a cell?
An organism’s genome sits inside the nucleus of each of their somatic cells in the form of DNA.
how does DNA become chromosomes?
Each molecule of DNA is coiled tightly around histone proteins and packaged into thread-like structures called chromosomes.
how many chromosomes does a human somatic cell have?
Human somatic cells usually contain 46 chromosomes.
define telomeres
region of repetitive base sequences that is found at the end of every chromosomes from fusing with other nearby chromosomes in the nucleus
define DNA molecule
each chromosome is composed of a long DNA molecule that has been coiled tightly around histone proteins
define centromere
a specialised sequence of DNA that holds together the two chromatids. It is very important for the process of meiosis.
define sister chromatids
the identical daughter strands of a replicated chromosome
define short arm
‘p arm’, section of chromosome that is shorter in length
define long arm
‘q arm’, section of chromosome that is longer in length
what do chromosomes vary in?
Chromosomes vary in size depending on the number of nucleotides they contain.
what structures can chromosomes be in?
- 1 chromatid
- 2 duplicated sister chromatids
define diploid
full set of chromosomes contained within an organism. Two copies of each chromosome. Human somatic cells have 46 chromosomes (2n = 46), i.e. 23 pairs.
define haploid
having one copy of each chromosome. A set of unpaired chromosomes. Human gametes (eggs & sperm) have 23 chromosomes (n = 23).
define homologous chromosomes
We call each of the sets of 23 chromosomes within a human nucleus a pair of homologous chromosomes.
- They are the same in size and length
- They have the same centromere position
- They share the same genes at the same gene loci
One of the pair is inherited from your mum (maternal chromosome) and the other from your dad (paternal chromosome).
define karyotype
A karyotype is a visual representation of an individual’s entire genome organised into homologous pairs.
how are chromosomes arranged in karyotypes?
Chromosomes are arranged by size and centromere position into their homologous pairs.
how are karyotypes used to assist in analysis?
Karyotypes are used by to assist in the analysis of chromosomes that are present in cells and check for possible genetic abnormalities.
what will biologists check in karyotypes?
When reading karyotypes, biologists will check that the correct number of chromosomes are present and that the size and length of each chromosome are correct.
what is an autosome?
any chromosome in humans that is not a sex chromosome (pairs 1 - 22).
what is an sex chromosome?
a chromosome responsible for determining the biological sex of an organism.
what do the sex chromosomes determine in humans?
The sex of the human. In humans, two X chromosomes result in a female, whereas one X and one Y chromosome will result in a male.
how are karyotypes used to separate species?
Diploid number in human somatic cells is 2n = 46
However, diploid number across different species varies widely.
Scientists can use karyotypes to represent these differences in chromosome number and determine genetic differences between species.
whats the most important use of a karyotype?
Perhaps the most important use of the karyotype is to detect chromosomal abnormalities within species, such as aneuploidy and polyploidy.
define Aneuploidy
Aneuploidy refers to a chromosomal abnormality in which an organism possesses an incorrect number of total chromosomes caused by the addition or loss of an individual chromosome
what does Aneuploidy mean in humans in relation to number of chromosomes?
In humans, this means having more or less than the usual number of 46.
what are the different form of Aneuploidy?
- Monosomy
- Trisomy
- Tetrasomy
define Monosomy
if an organism has one missing chromosome (2n - 1)
define Trisomy
if an organism has one extra chromosome (2n + 1)
define Tetrasomy
if an organism has two extra chromosomes (2n + 2)
case study on monosomy?
Name: Turner syndrome (45, X0)
Mutation: single X chromosome
Incidence rate: 1 : 2000
Common symptoms:
- Infertility
- Short stature
- Fused neck and head
- Poor breast development
- No menstruation
case study on trisomy 21?
Name: Down syndrome (47, XY, +21)
Mutation: extra copy of chromosome 21
Incidence rate: 1 : 1000
Common symptoms:
- Delayed physical growth
- Possible heart defects
- Flattened facial profile
- Mild to moderate intellectual disability
- Poor muscle tone
case study on trisomy?
Name: Klinefelter syndrome (47, XXY)
Mutation: extra X chromosome in males
Incidence rate: 1 : 650 males born
Common symptoms:
- Accelerated growth & taller than average stature
- Small testes and reduced testosterone levels
- Absent, delayed or incomplete puberty
- Decreased muscle mass
- Infertility
- Learning & intellectual disabilities
define Polyploidy
Polyploidy refers to a chromosomal abnormality in which an organism has more than two sets of each chromosome.
what does polyploidy mean in humans?
In humans, this would mean that rather than being diploid (2n = 46), the individual would be 3n = 72 or more.
what happens when humans have polyploidy?
Polyploidy is typically lethal in humans (extremely rare for a foetus to survive to term). However, it is quite common for other organisms, especially plants, to thrive with additional sets of chromosomes.
advantages of polyploidy?
Advantages of polyploidy include increased size and hardiness in certain types of fruit and faster growth rate in farmed Atlantic Salmon that are triploid.
features of prokaryotes?
- Lack a nucleus
- Single celled organism (unicellular)
- Have a single chromosome - a piece of circular, double-stranded DNA located in an area of the cell called the nucleoid.
- Reproduce by binary fission
- Include bacteria and archaea
why do cells undergo cell replication/division?
Cell replication is a critical process for organisms to undergo in order to survive.
purposes of cell division?
Its purposes include growth and development, maintenance and repair and reproduction.
purpose of cell division - growth and development explanation?
for a multicellular organism to grow and develop, it is important that cells replicate as to grow we simply are made of new cells
purpose of cell division - maintenance and repair explanation?
cells are constantly dying as they age or become damaged, cell replication to ensure the proper functioning of an organism
purpose of cell division - reproduction explanation?
prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells replicate to reproduce, when replicating they are enlarging population
features of binary fission?
- Type of asexual reproduction
- Prokaryotes (e.g.bacteria) reproduce rapidly via binary fission
- Less complex process and faster than the cell cycle in eukaryotes
- One division can be completed can be completed in 20 minutes in some bacteria
what does binary fission result in?
Results in two genetically identical copies of a cell
what is binary fission composed of?
Composed of the following steps: DNA replication, elongation, septum formation and cell division (D.E.S.C)
what is the process of binary fission?
- there is a prokaryotic cell before cell replication
- the circular chromosomes is un coiled and the DNA is replicated plasmids also replicated
- the cell elongates as its prepares to separate into two cells and the duplicated circular chromosomes migrate to opposite ends
- cell begins cytokinesis (process of separating into two cells), by pinching inwards and creating a septum. Because plasmids replicate independently of the circular chromosome, these will not always be evenly distributed between the two new cells
- a new cell and membrane are formed down the centre of the cell
- two genetically
what is a plasmid?
small circular loop of DNA that is separate from a chromosome, typically found in bacteria.
define gametes
reproductive cells that arise from germline cells and contain half the genetic material (n) of a somatic cell.
define zygote
the diploid cell formed by the combination of two haploid gamete cells
define Germline cell
cells that are involved in the generation of gametes in eukaryotes
define Gonads
the organs that produce gametes from germline cells
define Crossing over
the exchange of genetic material between non-sister chromatids during prophase I of meiosis, resulting in new combinations of alleles in daughter cells
define Chiasma
the point/location of overlap between two non-sister chromatids
define Independent assortment
the random orientation of homologous chromosomes along the metaphase plate during metaphase I
what is meiosis
Meiosis is a specialised form of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms and is used to produce the gametes necessary for sexual reproduction.
what are gametes from meiosis used for after?
In humans, these gametes are sperm and egg (also known as ova) cells, which contain only one copy of each chromosome (n) and will fuse together during fertilisation to create two copies of each chromosome (2n) inside a developing zygote.
what does meiosis result in?
Meiosis involves a single cell dividing into four haploid cells, each of which is genetically different from one another.
what is the dividing cell in meiosis?
In humans, the dividing cell is known as a germline cell and is found in the gonads (testes for males and ovaries in females).
in nucleotides what changes?
- sugar and phosphate parts are the same in all four nucleotides
- the difference is between the nitrogenous bases they contain
is DNA symmetrical?
yes
what are adenine and guanine types?
purines
what are thymine and cytosine types?
pyrimidines
what is exponential growth and how does binary fission allow this?
- Cells replicate exponentially - after each round of division the number of cells doubles
- Binary fission in bacteria allows a single bacterium to replicate into a few million bacteria in a very short span of time
features of eukaryotes?
- Contain a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
- Nucleus houses the cell’s DNA and directs the synthesis of proteins and ribosomes
- Replication of cells occurs through the cell cycle (mitosis)
what is the eukaryotic cell cycle?
Process that results in the production of two new cells, each identical to the parent cell that gave rise to them
how long does it take for typical humans to complete the the eukaryotic cell cycle?
For a typical human, 24 hours are required to complete one cell cycle
Three stages of the eukaryotic cell cycle include?
Interphase - cellular growth and duplication of chromosomes
Mitosis - separation of sister chromatids and the formation of two new nuclei
Cytokinesis - division of the cytoplasm and formation of two daughter cells
what are the stages of growth and division in the eukaryotic cell cycle and their times?
- G1 stage - 11 hours
- S stage - 8 hours
- G2 stage - 4 hours
- M stage (Mitosis) - 1 hour
- Cytokinesis
what is interphase?
period of DNA replication, which is the first and longest stage of the cell cycle
what happens during interphase?
During interphase, the cell synthesises the necessary DNA, proteins and organelles required for growth and replication.
what does DNA exist as in interphase?
DNA in the nucleus exists as long chromatin threads instead of chromosomes.
Interphase is divided into three sub-stages?
- Gap 1 (G1) phase
- Synthesis (S) phase
- Gap 2 (G2) phase
what is the G1 phase?
In the G1 phase (first growth stage), the cell prepares to copy its DNA and grows
how does the cell prepare to copy DNA and grow in G1?
- Increasing the volume of its cytosol
- Synthesising proteins required for DNA replication
- Replicating its organelles
what happens at the end of the G1 phase?
At the end of this phase, the cell either proceeds to the S phase or exits the cell cycle and enters the G0 phase (non-dividing quiescent phase)
what is the G0 phase?
Cells that are not required to replicate rest in the G0 phase.