Genetics (CHP 5) Flashcards
Define basic terms used in genetics. Compare and contrast single-gene, chromosomal, and multifactorial disorders. Summarize causes and manifestations of autosomal recessive, autosomal dominate, X-linked inheritance disorders, and mitochondrial gene disorders. Differentiate how environmental influences (such as teratogens) can affect embryo and fetal development.
What is a mutation/mutagen?
A biochemical event, such as nucleotide change, deletion, or insertion that produces a new allele for a particular gene.
Define locus in genetics.
A specific location that one gene occupies.
What is an allele?
Two members of a gene pair, one inherited from the mother and the other from the father.
Differentiate between homozygous and heterozygous.
- Homozygous: members of gene pair are identical
- Heterozygous: two members are different.
Define expressivity in genetics.
How much a trait is expressed in a person.
What is penetrance?
The percentage of people with a gene who have the associated trait.
True or False: A 50% penetrance indicates that a person who inherits the defective gene has a 50% chance of expressing the disorder.
True.
Differentiate between dominant and recessive traits.
- Dominant: trait is phenotypically seen in the heterozygote
- Recessive: phenotypically seen only in the homozygote.
What is a carrier in genetics?
An individual who possesses one copy of a mutated gene associated with a disease but does not exhibit symptoms.
Define autosomal in genetics.
A specific gene that is not on a sex chromosome and is a numbered chromosome.
What are chromosomes?
Thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of a cell, composed of DNA and proteins, which carry genetic information.
What are gametes?
Reproductive cells of an animal or plant.
Define somatic cells.
Any cell of a living organism other than the reproductive cells.
What is mitosis?
A type of indirect cell division that occurs in somatic cells resulting in the formation of two daughter nuclei containing identical complements of chromosomes.
Define meiosis.
The division of a sex cell as it matures, so that each daughter nucleus receives one half of the number of chromosomes characteristic of the somatic cells.
What is a karyotype?
The total chromosomal characteristics of a cell, or the micrograph of chromosomes arranged in pairs in descending order of size.
What is a pedigree?
A systematic presentation of an individual’s ancestors used in human genetics to analyze inheritance.
Define genogram.
A visual diagram that depicts a person’s family relationships across multiple generations.
What are single-gene disorders?
Disorders caused by a defective or mutant allele at a single gene locus that follow Mendelian patterns of inheritance.
What is the etiology of autosomal dominant disorders?
A single mutant allele from an affected parent is transmitted to offspring regardless of sex.
What is reduced penetrance?
When an individual inherits a dominant mutant gene but fails to exhibit the phenotype.
Give an example of an autosomal dominant disorder.
Marfan Syndrome.