B13.4 DNA and the genome Flashcards
What are your chromosomes made up of?
Long molecules known as DNA (deoxyribonucleic aicd)
What is the structure of DNA?
A polymer made up of many repeating units
The long strands of DNA twist and spiral to form a double helix structure
What are genes?
Small sections of this DNA - where genetic information - the coded information that determines inherited characteristic - is actually stored.
What do each gene code for?
Particular sequence of amino acids joined together to make a specific proteins
These proteins include the enzymes that control your cell chemistry
What is a genome?
The entire genetic material of the organism - includes chromosome and genetic material.
Where does your mitrochondrial DNA come from?
Your mother because it comes from the mitochondria in the egg
How can human genome make many different proteins?
By switching a part of a gene on and off
Why does understanding the human genome matter?
Helps us to understand inherited disorders such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease
What happens if we learn more about the genome?
The more likely we are to predict the risk for each individual - so they can make lifestyle choices to help reduce the risk
How does understanding the genome help understand human history?
People all over the world can be linked by patterns in their DNA - allowing scientists to trace human migration patterns from our ancient history
What is the human genome project?
A major project to sequence entire human genome
