Polidy (Lucy) Flashcards
What is ploidy?
The chromosome number within a cell or within the cells of an organism
What is euploidy?
Variation in the no. complete sets of chromosome
What is aneuploidy?
Variation in the no. particular chromosomes within a set
Do all cells of an organism always have same amt of DNA?
No, different varieties of a single species may cont different bumbers of copies of the same genome
Why do changes is ploidy matter?
- Change in no chromosome sets in the germ line can give rise to a new variety or species
- May also occur somatically by chance & be pathological/be programmed & be part of developmental program of an organism
- Give rise to –> endopolyploidy & polytenization
- Entire chromosme may also be ‘eliminated’ during development
- Specific seq may be removed; called ‘chromosome dimunition’
Give an example of why polyploidy matters:
Many agriculturally important plants are polyploidy
Strawberries = octoploid strawberries are sold lots in supermarkets over diploid which are smaller
Give an example of polyploidy in amphibians:
African clawed toad = Xenopus laevis (4N) is larger & Xenopus tropicalis (2N)
How is the no. chromosomes represented in a basic ancestral set?
Represented as x - this is the monoploid number
n, the haploid number is no. chromosomes in gamete
What are the names for the number of chromosome sets in somatic cells of the following;
2x =
3x =
4x =
6x =
2x = diploid
3x = triploid
4x = tetraploid
6x = hexaploid
What are the 2 ways polyploids can form?
- Autopolyploids
- Allopolyploids
What are autopolyploids?
All chromosomes from same species; 4x = AAAA
By spontaneous premiotic endoreduplication
What are allopolyploids?
Chromosome sets from different species; 4x = AA BB
By interspecific hybridisation & endoreduplication (we need this to get 2 copies of each)
A and B sets often partially homologous - homeologous e.g. bread wheat AA BB DD
What is one rule of polyploidy that is generally followed?
Species rarely have odd numbers of x number (monoploid number) e.g. 3x
Why is accurate segregation in meiosis important for polyploidy?
Accurate segregation at the first meiotic division req chromosome pairing & so req a PAIRING PARTENER
How efficient is meiosis in diploids & tetraploids?
Meiosis yields viable gametes
How efficient is meiosis in triploids?
Very, very inefficient due to random segregation of unpaired homologue
What advantages over diploid relatives can polyploidy cause?
- Inc cell size = larger fruits, flowers & organism
- Advantageous characteristics from multiple species (allopolyploids) (immediate hybrid vigour)
- Whole genome duplications allow long term evolution of genetic novelty
What are the possible disadvatages of polyploidy?
Sterility (problems forming “balanced” gametes during meiosis), especially for odd-numbered polyploids
What can even numbered allopolyploids produce?
Can produce balanced gametes at high freq & exist as fully fertile polyploid specie propagated by seed
(i.e. all the chromosmes can pair up as bivalents & segregation in orderly)
What happens if we have 3x pairing?
Makes a pairing between 2 homologous chromosomes but leaves an extra chromsomes that doesn’t pair
Third extra one segregates randomly
What happens with a triploid organism who’s karyotype should be x=2?
3 copies of chromosmes –> 2 accurately segregate; but 3rd segregates randomly
Makes aneuploid gametes
Got to have same no. chromosomes to be viable
What is an aneuploid gamete?
A gamete with an abnormal amount of chromosomes