Phenotypes and Genes

Question 1

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Answer 1

Cystic fibrosis is when mucus forms in your alveoli making breathing more difficult and causing respiratory infections
It is believed to be caused by an issue with salt regulation

Question 2

How can the protein responsible for Cystic Fibrosis be found?

Answer 2

• Gene mapping!
  - Find the two genes that flank the CF gene that we are familiar with- this allows us to find the CF gene in between

Question 3

What are restriction length Polymorphisms?

Answer 3

These are the differences in length of DNA fragments cut. This is because restriction sites are randomly distributed in DNA

Question 4

What is polymerase Chain reaction? How does it work?

Answer 4

PCR is a method of amplifying a small stretch of DNA so you can better study it
- Two primers flank the stretch of interest. Melt the DNA, allows primers to anneal. Then use DNA polymerase to synthesize new complementary strand.
You know have 2 double strand of DNA- repeat this 30-40 times

Question 5

How are you able to tell the difference between heterozygotes and homozygotes on an electrophoresis reading?

Answer 5

2 bands appearing on the gel shows that there are two different alleles- this is heterozygous