Genome Variation

Question 1

What does the rumen do?

Answer 1

Allows cattle and other ruminants to transform grass into protein rich products.

Question 2

What are the 2 main cattle lineage specific biological traits?

Answer 2

1. large no of microbes in rumen
2. Expansion of gene families related to immune response

Question 3

What do we mean by ‘expansion of gene families?

Answer 3

Helpful bacteria is controlled and not destroyed by the immune system sodigestion is still viable

Question 4

What is the function of HSTN?

Answer 4

HSTN gives extra immunity to calves when they drink cattle milk

Question 4

What is the function of beta-defensin genes and Cathelicidin genes ? or what function do they encode?

Answer 4

B-defensin: Antimicrobial defense by penetrating a microbe’s cell membrane and cause microbial death in a manner similar to that of antibiotics
Cathelicidins- Antimicrobial function

Question 5

Why does cattle have more beta defensin genes?

Answer 5

Cattle has more beta defensin genes—> HELP THE HOST FROM NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF MICROBES IN THE GUT.

Question 6

Why pig domestication was viable? (taste etc.)

Answer 6

1. Pigs react to higher conc of bitter compounds than humans
2. Good candidate for domestication as they dont compete with humans for food
3. Meaning they can put on fat and meat whilst not interfereing with human consumption

Question 7

What is the biggest factor that makes an animal attractive for domestication?

Answer 7

Seperate food sources to humans. Can eat food that humans cannot. Formation of rumen and inability to taste bitter compounds etc.

Question 8

Give Pros for the use of classical animal models when looking at genetic disorders (Lab mice and rate)

Answer 8

> Used in labs for over 100 years now
Well studied genome
Many strains that express specific conditions
Short lived (effects of mods can be seen soon)

Question 9

Give Cons for the use of classical animal models when looking at genetic disorders (Lab mice and rate)

Answer 9

> Genome not verry similar to humans
Genes have many changes that other mammals dont have
Short lived—> cannot be used to longevity and cancer resistance.

Question 10

Non-classical animal model: PIGS, what can we investigate in them?

Answer 10

Become obese very easily, so can see how to stop this risk in humans

Question 11

Non-classical animal model: NMR/large animals, what can we investigate in them?

Answer 11

Tumour resistance, If tumour cells are inserted the animals immune system gets rid of them.
Big animals such as whales astops cancer from developing in the cell cycle

Question 12

Why rats cannot tolerate small tumours?

Answer 12

Because they hace a short lifespan

Question 13

What are the 2 main biological mechanisms and factors that provide cancer resistance to NMR?

Answer 13

1. Sensitivity to loss of a tumour suppressor p53
2. Apoptosis or senescence of pre-malignant cells

Question 14

What anti-cancer mechanism does the elephant have?

Answer 14

Increased p53