Lecture 2 - Coneption, prenatal development & birth

Question 1

What is transcription and translation?

Answer 1

Transcription is when DNA is converted to RNA. Translation is when RNA is converted into amino acids on a ribosome which form to make polypeptides and then folded to make proteins

Question 2

What is the central dogma?

Answer 2

Relates to transfer of information in Messenger RNA which contains info for a particular protein

Question 3

Adenine always binds to…

Answer 3

Thymine

Question 4

Cytosine always binds to…

Answer 4

Guanine

Question 5

What are chromosomes? What are autosomes vs sex chromosomes

Answer 5

Tighlty wound strands of DNA which store and transmit genetic information. Autosomes = 22 pairs of chromosomes, 23rd pair is sex chromosome

Question 6

Mitosis Vs Meiosis. What is Meiosis called in males vs females?

Answer 6

Mitosis - is cells splitting to form duplicate daughter cells. Meiosis is cells splitting to form gamete (sex) cells. Spermatogenesis and Oogenesis

Question 7

What is an allele? What are the types?

Answer 7

An allele is the same gene on a pair of chromosomes eg brown hair allele, red hair allele. Homozygous - meaning two alleles are the same (NN) and heterosygous = different (Nn)

Question 8

What is Phenylketonuria?

Answer 8

Phenylketonuria is an inherited mutation where the body cannot metabolise amino acid phenylalanine therefore have to avoid protein rich foods and aspartame as they are toxic. Causes seizures, learning disability and slow to reach developmental milestones

Question 9

What is genetic imprinting versus mutations?

Answer 9

Genetic imprinting is temporary and genes are often silenced through epigenetics (how genes are expressed). Mutations are permanent and occur from a change in the DNA base pairs

Question 10

What is Polygenic inheritance?

Answer 10

Characteristics inherited from parents eg height, weight etc which are determined by many genes

Question 11

What is Down syndrome caused from?

Answer 11

Chromosomal abnormalities (21st chromosome)

Question 12

What are the periods of prenatal development? Describe key events

Answer 12

Zygote = 2 weeks - fertilization, implantation, start of placenta
Embryo = 6 weeks - Outer limbs, organs and muscles develop, heart begins beating
Fetus = 30 weeks - Growth and finishing

Question 13

What is differentiation?

Answer 13

The process of one cell changing from one type to another

Question 14

What is the APGAR scale?

Answer 14

It measures a new born babies appearance/colour, pulse, grimace/reflexes, activity/muscle tone and respiration

Question 15

What is Anoxia?

Answer 15

A birth complication where baby is deprived of oxygen - the greater the oxygen, the poorer the childs cognitive and language skills in middle school

Question 16

What is the trend for infant disability in terms of length of pregnancy?

Answer 16

The earlier the born, the more increased chances child will be born with disabiity eg 23 weeks worst outcome, greatly improves from 25 onwards

Question 17

What do we know about genes and the environment?

Answer 17

They interact and can sometimes counteract each other. Eg mice in an enriching environment who have huntingtons-like symptoms can greatly delay and reduce the progression of that disease