genomes and proteomes Flashcards
1
Q
Genome Definition
A
All the DNA in a cell or an organism
2
Q
The Human Genome Project [3]
A
- 1990 - 2003
- The sequence is not that of one person, but is a composite derived from several individuals
- Also sequenced yeast and animals used in medical research e.g. zebra fish and rats.
3
Q
The aims of the human genome project [5]
A
- To identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA.
- To find where each gene is located
- To determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA
- To find out the function of different genes
- Store this information in databases
4
Q
Proteome Definition
A
The proteome is all of the proteins expressed by a genome in a cell
5
Q
Prokaryotic Proteome
A
In a prokaryote, the genome is very tightly linked to the proteome - a protein-coding gene will make a certain protein
6
Q
Eukaryote Proteome [2]
A
- Eukaryote organisms have non-coding regions, regulatory genes, and introns and exons
- Therefore it is more difficult to translate the genome into the proteome
7
Q
Ethical Objections to the Human Genome Project [9]
A
- People may be put under undue pressure to not have children or terminate pregnancies if the embryo has certain alleles present
- Increases pressure for germ line therapy to prevent children inheriting genetic conditions
- Embryo has no choice/say in the matter
- May lead to discrimination with jobs
- May lead to serious issues with insurance (life/medical/car etc.)
- May lead to ‘designer babies’ with selection for specific fashionable/on a whim characteristics
- Human rights/personal freedom: intrusion, infringement of civil liberties; who decides who should have genetic tests
- Who decides who has access to/should have potentially expensive treatment
- Data protection issues: who has access to your genetic information?
