Genomes and Genomics Flashcards
Define a genome.
The entire compliment of hereditary genetic information in an organism.
What is C-value?
The total amount of DNA in the genome.
Is there a link between organism complexity and genome size?
No, there is a huge amount of disparity. The amount of DNA does not correlate with the number of proteins produced.
What is the general structure of the eukaryotic genome?
Double stranded DNA stored in linear, segmented chromosomes.
What is the general structure of the prokaryotic genome?
Double stranded DNA stored in a circular, non-segmented chromosome.
What enzyme relaxes supercoils?
Topoisomerase.
What does a TATA box indicate?
It indicates where a genetic sequence can be read and decoded.
What is the function of a promoter sequence?
To specify to other molecules where transcription begins.
What is heterochromatin?
The tightly packed form of DNA.
What are SINEs?
Short Interspersed Nuclear Elements. These are non-coding transposable elements.
What are LINEs?
Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements. Transcribed in RNA and then converted into DNA using reverse transcriptase.
What is the Inr sequence?
It can be used in place of a TATA box, it is the simplest promoter. Commonest sequence at the start of transcription.
What are enhancers?
Transcription factors. Short regions of DNA bound by proteins to increase the likelihood of transcription.
What are regulatory sequences?
Functions as the protein translation initiation site. Eukaryote equivalent of the Shine-Dalgarno sequence.
Why is gene duplication important?
Its a source of new genetic material and diversity as a result of mutations arising in new copies.
