Genomes Flashcards
1
Q
forward genetics
A
- exploratory approach to study function of genes
2
Q
forward genetics steps (4)
A
- unknown genes are randomly mutated
- screen for mutant phenotypes related to function
- clone these genes
- study function
3
Q
reverse genetics
A
- manipulative approach to study function of genes
4
Q
reverse genetics steps
A
- obtain known genes (specific sequences)
- alter these genes’ expression, sequence, etc to produce mutant phenotypes
- study function
5
Q
complementation (2)
A
- tool for genetic analysis
- two approaches: crossing 2 mutants with the same phenotype OR restoring WT phenotype
6
Q
complementation approach 1 (3)
A
- cross 2 mutants with the same mutant phenotype together
- if there is no change in phenotype to the offspring, the mutant mutations are in the same gene
- if WT phenotype is restored, the mutant mutations are in 2 separate genes and COMPLEMENTATION occurs
7
Q
complementation approach 2 (2)
A
- attempt to restore the WT phenotype by transforming a mutant with the cloned gene of interest
- if WT phenotype restored, the cloned gene complements the mutation
8
Q
Cdk/cyclin
A
regulates events in mitosis
9
Q
why are temperature sensitive alleles beneficial for experiments (2)
A
- mutant will still have function at low temperature to survive, but can still study loss of function at higher temperature
- does not kill organism and lets the grow and be maintained to study mutation
10
Q
discovery of human cdk gene (3)
A
- a temperature sensitive allele of yeast cdk gene that lives at lower temperatures but dies at 36ºC
- transform yeast mutant with human cDNA library in a yeast CEN vector where each human gene is expressed from a yeast promoter; library represents thousands of human transcripts
- select clones thats are able to survive at 36ºC; these cloned have human cDNA that can rescue the death phenotype (complementation)
11
Q
why were complementation experiments ground-breaking? (3)
A
- revealed unity of life: basic functions of cell biology is shared by all organisms
- made clear that studying simpler model systems/organisms can offer great understanding of universal biological processes
- glimpse of what we might learn if we had the sequence of whole genomes of many different organisms: can analyze genes to make predictions before we conduct molecular biology experiments
12
Q
key lesson about model organisms (2)
A
- do not simply offer us analogs (different proteins/genes with same function) of various biological processes
- they offer us homologs (similar due to shared ancestry) for many biological processes
13
Q
genomics (3)
A
- study of whole genomes
- involves the development and application of more effective mapping, sequencing, and computational tools
- next generation sequencing made it much cheaper
14
Q
functions of genomics (3)
A
- predict existence and functions of previously undefined genes
- verify predictions using molecular techniques
- eg. sequencing human genome reveals the blueprint for our form and function
15
Q
the human genome project (4)
- type of science
- duration and cost
- delegation of costs
- when did it finish
A
- discovery science: identification of all elements in a biological system
- 1990: estimated to take 15 years and $3 billion
- 3-5% of budget committed to studying ethical, legal, and social implications of human genome mapping
- finished in 2006
