Introduction to Genetics

Question 1

Transmission genetics

Answer 1

The general process by which traits controlled by genes are transmitted through gametes from generation to generation.

Question 2

Biotechnology

Answer 2

Provides genetically modified organisms and their products that are used across a variety of fields.

Question 3

Translational medicine

Answer 3

Refers to moving research discoveries in genetics and other disciplines from the lab bench to the bedside to improve human health by disease prevention and the treatment of diseases

Question 4

Epigenesis

Answer 4

The idea that an organism or organ arises through the sequential appearance and development of new structures.

Question 5

Preformation

Answer 5

The idea that a fertilized egg contains a complete miniature adult.

Question 6

Cell theory

Answer 6

Proposed by Schleiden and Schwann, stating that all organisms are composed of basic structural units called cells, which are derived from preexisting cells.

Question 7

Chromosome Theory of Inheritance

Answer 7

The idea put forward independently by Walter Sutton and Theodor Boveri that chromosomes are the carriers of genes and the basis for the Mendelian mechanisms of segregation and independent assortment.

Question 8

Homologous chromosomes

Answer 8

Chromosomes that synapse or pair during meiosis and that are identical with respect to their genetic loci and centromere placement

Question 9

Mitosis

Answer 9

A form of cell division producing two progeny cells identical genetically to the parental cell - that is, the production of two cells from one, each having the same chromosome complement as the parent cell

Question 10

Meiosis

Answer 10

The process of cell division in gametogenesis or sporogenesis during which the diploid number of chromosomes is reduced to the haploid number

Question 11

Which protein does the MC1R gene code for?

Answer 11

The melanocortin 1 receptor

Question 12

What does the melanocortin 1 receptor protein do?

Answer 12

It plays a role in normal pigmentation.

Question 13

What are melanocytes? What is their function?

Answer 13

The melanocortin 1 receptor is primarily located on the surface of melanocytes, which are specialized cells that produce a pigment called melanin.

Question 14

What were Mendel’s major ideas about genetic variation?

Answer 14

+ Traits are passed from generation to generation

+ Transmission of genetic information from parents to offspring

Question 15

Model organism: E. coli

Answer 15

Human disease studied: Colon cancer and other cancers

Question 16

Model organism: S. cerevisiae

Answer 16

Human disease studied: Cancer, Werner syndrome

Question 17

Model organism: D. melanogaster

Answer 17

Human disease studied: Disorders of the nervous system, cancer

Question 18

Model organism: C. elegans

Answer 18

Human disease studied: Diabetes

Question 19

Model organism: D. rerio

Answer 19

Human disease studied: Cardiovascular disease

Question 20

Model organism: M. musculus

Answer 20

Human disease studied: Lesch-Nyhan disease, cystic fibrosis, fragile- X syndrome, and many other disease

Question 21

Alleles

Answer 21

The source of genetic variation

Question 22

Genotype

Answer 22

The set of alleles for a given trait

Question 23

Phenotype

Answer 23

Produces an observable trait or phenotype

Question 24

The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway

Answer 24

Determines limb formation

Question 25

Do prokaryotic cells have nuclei?

Answer 25

No

Question 26

Do prokaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles?

Answer 26

No

Question 27

Do prokaryotic cells have a cytoskeleton?

Answer 27

No

Question 28

Do eukaryotic cells have nuclei?

Answer 28

Yes

Question 29

Do eukaryotic cells have membrane-bound organelles?

Answer 29

Yes

Question 30

Do eukaryotic cells have a cytoskeleton?

Answer 30

Yes

Question 31

Prokaryotic cells have _______ making up their genome.

Answer 31

Usually one circular DNA molecule

Question 32

Eukaryotic cells have ________ making up their genome.

Answer 32

Multiple linear DNA molecules

Question 33

Characteristic of prokaryotic cell DNA

Answer 33

Not complexed with histones in eubacteria; some histones in archaea

Question 34

Characteristic of eukaryotic cell DNA

Answer 34

Complexed with histones

Question 35

Nucleotide

Answer 35

Containing a single phosphate linked to the 5’ carbon of the ribose or deoxyribose; are the building blocks of nucleic acids

Question 36

Transcription

Answer 36

Transfer of genetic information from DNA by the synthesis of a complementary RNA molecule using one strand of the DNA as a template

Question 37

Where does transcription occur?

Answer 37

In the nucleus

Question 38

Translation

Answer 38

The derivation of the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide from the base sequence of an mRNA molecule in association with a ribosome and tRNAs

Question 39

mRNA

Answer 39

An RNA molecule transcribed from DNA and translated into the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide

Question 40

tRNA

Answer 40

A small RNA molecule with an essential role in translation. Contain (1) a three-base segment (anticodon) that recognizes a codon in mRNA; (2) a binding site for the specific amino acid corresponding to the anticodon; (3) recognition sites for the interaction with ribosomes and with the enzyme that links the tRNA to its specific amino acid.

Question 41

Where does DNA replication occur?

Answer 41

In the nucleus

Question 42

Where does translation occur?

Answer 42

In the cytoplasm

Question 43

Where does protein degradation occur?

Answer 43

In proteosomes located in the nucleus and cytosol