SCT II Flashcards
Cloning
Production of many identical copies of a DNA sequence, a cell, or a whole organism.
Next-generation (massively-parallel) sequencing
A collection of methods for very high-throughput DNA sequencing by sequencing many molecules in parallel.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
A position in the genome where two or occasionally three alternative nucleotides are common in the population.
May be pathogenic or neutral. The dbSNP database lists human SNPs, but includes some rare pathogenic variants and some variants that involve two or more contiguous nucleotides.
Exome
The totality of exons in a genome.
Genome
The total set of different DNA molecules of an organelle, cell, or organism.
The human genome consists of 3.1 × 109 bp of DNA divided into 25 molecules, the mitochondrial DNA molecule plus the 24 different chromosomal DNA molecules.
OMIM
The Online Inheritance in Man data base at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/omim
PMID
PubMed identifier, a unique number, currently eight digits in length, assigned to a biomedical literature article at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Conserved sequence
A sequence (of DNA or sometimes protein) that is identical or recognizably similar across a range of organisms.
Pathogenic
Causing disease.
mtDNA
Mitochondrial DNA.
DNA of the 16,569 nt mitochondrial genome.
Pharmacogenetics
The study of the influence of genetic factors on the response to drugs.
Divided into pharmacokinetics (the absorption, activation, catabolism, and elimination of a drug) and pharmacodynamics (the response of a target organ or cell to a drug).
CpG
In DNA, cytosine followed by guanine (the p represents the phosphate linking them).
CG sequences occur symmetrically on both strands and are targets for DNA methylation.
CpG island
Short stretch of DNA, often < 1 kb, containing frequent unmethylated CG dinucleotides.
CG islands tend to mark the 5’ prime ends of genes.
Reading frame
During translation, the way the continuous sequence of the mRNA is read as a series of triplet codons.
A correct reading frame is set by correct recognition of the AUG initiation codon.
Open reading frame
A DNA sequence that does not contain a stop codon in a selected reading frame.
Stop codon
In mRNA, a UAA, UAG, or UGA triplet.
When the ribosome encounters an in-frame stop codon it dissociates from the mRNA and releases the nascent polypeptide.
Start codon
In mRNA, the AUG codon at which the ribosome initiates protein synthesis.
Conserved sequence
A sequence (of DNA or sometimes protein) that is identical or recognizably similar across a range of organisms.
Transgenic
An animal or cell containing an artificially inserted gene (or other exogenous DNA).