Human Genomics: Key Area 1.5 Flashcards
What is the genome of an organism?
The genetic information that is encoded into its DNA and can be inherited by its offspring
What requires bioinformatics?
the comparison of sequence data, it involves computer and statistical analysis
what does systematics compare?
Human genome sequence data and the genomes of other species to provide information on evolutionary relationships and origins
What is personalised medicine based on?
An individuals genome, analysis of this can lead to personalised medicine through understanding of the genetic component of disease risk
What is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)?
a laboratory technique for the amplification of DNA
Why does PCR use primers complementary to specific target sequences at the two ends of the DNA region?
to be amplified
What are DNA probes?
Short, single stranded fragments of DNA that are complementary to a specific DNA sequence
How are DNA probes used in PCR?
arrays of DNA probes are used to detect the presence of specific sequences in strands of DNA
What can fragments of DNA be separated by?
Gel electrophoresis
What does fluorescent labelling allow?
Detection of DNA fragments amplified by PCR and separated by electrophoresis
How are individuals identified in DNA profiling?
Through comparison of regions of their genome, which have variable numbers of repetitive DNA sequence
