Genetics / Inheritance and Variation Flashcards
What is a mutation?
A mutation is a change in the sequence of bases in DNA - this interrupts protein synthesis
Types of mutations
Types of mutations: subsitution, deletions or insertions of one or more nucleotides within a gene
What is a point mtuation?
A point mutation is when only one nucleotide is affected
Effect of a substitution mutation
A subsitution mutation of a nucleotide changes the codon on which it occurs - diff amino acid - diff primary structure - may be no effect due to degenerate nature
Effect of an insertion or deletion of a nucleotide
Insertion or deletion of a nucleotide leads to a frameshift mutation - reading frame of bases changed
Effects of different mutations
Effects of different mutations:
-No effect
-Damaging ie non-functional protein synthesis
-Beneficial
What are mutagens?
Mutagens increase the rate of mutation - it is a chemical, physical or biological agent which causes mutations
Causes of mutations
Causes of mutations:
-Mutagens
-Rare spontaneous loss of a base
-Free radicals which are oxiding agents affecting nucleotide structures and therefore base pairing
Examples of mutagens
Examples of mutagens:
-Physical - x rays - break DNA strands
-Chemical - deaminating agents - altering bases
-Biological - virus - insertion of DNA into a genome
Changes in chromosome structure due to chromosome mutations
Changes in chromosome structure due to chromosome mutations:
-Deletion - section of chromosome broke off and lost
-Duplication - section duplicated
-Translocation - sections broken off and joins other non-homologous chromosome
-Inversion - section broken off reversed then joined back onto chromosome
What are housekeeping genes?
Housekeeping genes are genes that code for enzymes necessary for metabolic reactions
What are tissue-specific genes?
Tissue-specific genes code for protein-based hormones required by certain cells at certain times for a short-lived response
Why is gene regulation needed?
Gne regulation is required for cells to specialise and work in a coordinated way
Levels of which genes operate which determine how they are regulated:
Levels of which genes operate which determine how they are regulated:
-Transcriptional (genes turned of/off)
-Post-transcriptional (mRNA modified to regulate transcription and types of protein produced)
-Translational (stopped or started)
-Post-translational (proteins modified after syntheses to change functions)
What are chromatins?
Chromatins is the complex formed when histones are wound around DNA
What is an operon?
An operon is a group of genes that are under the control of the same regulatory mechanism and are expressed at the same time
Why are operons effecient?
Operons are efficient way of saving recourses as when certain gene products are not needed, genes involved can be switched off
What is used when glucose is in short supply as a respiratory substrate for bacteria?
When glucose is in short supply, lactose is used as a respiratory substrate for bacteria
Structural genes involved in the lac operon
Lac operon - group of three genes - lacZ lacY lacA - structural genes that code for enzymes and are transcribed onto mRNA
Regulatory genes - lacoperon
Regulatory gene is located near the operon and codes for a repressor protein which prevents transcription of structural genes in the absence of lactose
What are repressor proteins in the lacoperon?
Repressor proteins prevents the transcription of the structural genes in the absence of lactose
-Constantly produced and binds to operator
Effect of repressor protein binding to an operator (lacoperon)
When the repressor protein binds to the operator, RNA polymerase is prevented from binding to DNA and beginning transcription - down regulation
What is a promotor in gene regulation? (lacoperon)
The section of DNA that is the binding site for RNA polymerase is called the promoter
What happens when lactose is present - lacoperon?
Lactose present -> binds to repressor protein -> changes shape and can’t bind to operator - so RNA polymerase binds to promoter and three structural genes are transcribed and enzymes are synthesies
How can bindings of RNA polymerase for transcription be increased?
Binding of cAMP receptor protein (CRP) speeds up transcription of genes - possible when CRP bound to cAMP (secondary messenger)
What happens in the lacoperon when glucose is present?
When glucose present -> levels of cAMP decreased -> reduces transcription of genes responsible for metabolism of lactose
Product of gene transcription
Product of gene transcription = pre-mRNA -> modified forming mature mRNA -> binds to ribosome for protein synthesis
Role of caps on mRNA
Cap = modified nucletode added to ends - helps stabilise mRNA and delay degradation in cytoplasm - also aids binding to ribosomes
Pre and post transcriptional control
Pre and post transcriptional control:
-Adding caps
-Splicing (removing introns and exons joining together)
How can RNA/mRNA be edited?
RNA can be edited through addition, deletion or subsitution -> results in synthesis of different proteins
Mechanisms that regulate the process of protein synthesis
Mechanisms that regulate the process of protein synthesis:
-Degradation of mRNA
-Binding of inhibitory proteins
-Activation of initiation factors that aid binding of mRNA
Degradation of mRNA as a way to regulate protein synthesis
Degradation of mRNA as a way to regulate protein synthesis = more resistant the molecule -> longer itll last in cytoplasm -> greater quantity of protein synthesised
How RNA can be edited?
nucleotide sequence of some mRNA molecules can be changed through base addition, deletion or subsitution which results in syntheses of different proteins
What are protein kinases?
Protein kinases are enzymes that catalyse the addition of phosphate groups to proteins -> changes tertiary structure + function
-Enzyme activated by phosphorylation
-Regulators of cell activity’
-Also activated by cAMP
What does post-translation control protein modification include?
-Addition of non-protein groups ie lipids
-Modifying amino acids and formation of bonds
-Folding or shortening of proteins
-Modification by cAMP
What is morphogenesis?
Morphogenesis is the regulation of the pattern of anatomical development
What are homeobox genes?
Homeobox genes are a group of genes which all contain a homeobox
What is a homeobox in homeobox genes?
The homeobox in homeobox genes is a section of DNA180 base pairs long coding for a part of the protein 60 amino acids long that is highly conserved (the homeodomain)
-> The homeodain binds to DNA and switches other genes on/off
->Meaning homebox genes are regulatory genes
What are hox genes?
Hox genes are one group of homebox genes that are present in aimals and responsible for the correct positioning of body parts
What are diploblastic animals?
Diploblastic animals have two primary tissue layers
What are triploblastic animals?
Triploblastic animals have three primary tissue layers
Control of vertebrae
Vertebrae have developed from segments in the embryo called somites
Different symmetry seen in animals
Symmetry:
-Radial symmetry is seen in diploblastic animals - only top and bottom - eg jellyfish
-Bilateral symmetry - both left and right, head, tail
-Asymmetry - no lines of symmetry - ie sponges