ORIGINS OF GENETIC VARIABILITY Flashcards
WHAT IS GENETIC VARIABILITY?
presence of genetic differences
-individuals differing in genotype / many alleles
WHAT DEC/INCREASES ALLELE FREQUENCIES?
natural evolution
-the fittest will survive
DEFINE EVOLUTION.
change of alleles in a population from one generation to an other
GIVE EXAMPLES OF SOURCES OF GENETIC VARIABILITY.
-segregation of alleles in meiosis and their combination in gametes
-diffuse centromeres
-mutations
-sexual reproduction / random mating
-recombination as a result of crossing over between homologous chromosomes in meiosis
WHAT IS CLOSELY LINKED TO GENETIC VARIABILITY?
the cell cycle
DEFINE THE CELL CYCLE.
- continuously repeating process, during which a somatic cell grows, duplicates material and then divides.
- 1 cycle= time between one mitotic division to the other
DISCUSS INTERPHASE.
- G1 → growth
- S → DNA synthesis
- G2 → growth and preparation for mitosis
- G0 → “break
-microtubules extend from these centrosomes
-chromosomes threadlike structure of chromatid
-nucleolus and nuclear envelope distinct
DISCUSS MITOSIS.
-cell division (a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells)
-for growth and to repair broken down cells
DISCUSS PROPHASE AND PROMETAPHASE.
PROPHASE :
-condensation of chromosomes
-nuclear envelope breaks down
-formation of mitotic spindle
PROMETAPHASE:
-further condensation of chromosomes
-mitotic spindle attaches to kinetochores on chromosomes (found in centromeres)
DISCUSS METAPHASE.
-maximally condensed chromosomes
-chromosomes line up neatly end-to-end along the centre (equator) of the cell.
-centrioles are now at opposite poles of the cell with the mitotic spindle fibres extending from them
-checkpoint
DISCUSS ANAPHASE.
-sister chromatids are then pulled apart by the mitotic spindle which pulls one chromatid to one pole and the other chromatid to the opposite pole
DISCUSS TELOPHASE.
-at each pole of the cell a full set of chromosomes gather together.
-membrane forms around each set of chromosomes to create two new nuclei (nuclear envelope and nucleolus reform)
-single cell then pinches in the middle to form two separate daughter cells each containing a full set of chromosomes within a nucleus (cytokinesis)
WHAT ARE CHECKPOINTS?
check cell cycle for mistakes
-DNA damage in G1
-Incomplete replication in G2
-Bad attachment between the mitotic spindle and chromosomes during metaphase and anaphase
WHAT IS G0 OF INTERPHASE?
found outside the cell cycle and only highly differentiated non-dividing cells (e.g.
neurons) are found in his phase
WHAT IS THE PRINCIPLE OF MAINTAINING A CORRECT CELL CYCLE?
phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of various proteins
WHAT IS CYCLIN DEPENDENT KINASE?
kinases which regulate the passage of cells through the cycle
-dependent on cyclins
-positive and negative regulation
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE REGULATION OF THE CELL CYCLE?
POSITIVE: allows passage of cells
cyclin E binds to CDK2 → protein synthesis of necessary proteins → next phase
NEGATIVE: does not allow passage of cells
error occurs → checkpoint releases factor p53 → stops cell cycle, DNA reparation