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Biology Mine > 3.8.1 and 3.8.2 control of gene expression > Flashcards

3.8.1 and 3.8.2 control of gene expression Flashcards

3.8.1 control of gene expression

1
Q

what are the 3 main causes of mutation

A
  1. spontaniosly , unavoidable , random process
  2. chemicals / mutagenic compounds e.g from smoking
  3. radiation - from compounds
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2
Q

what are mutagens give two examples

A

things that can cause mutations

nitrogen dioxide , benzopyrene

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3
Q

what is a frame shift

A

the whole bases move , coding for diffrent amino acids as they are non-overlapping , codons are moved down

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4
Q

info card (read and repet from memory )

A

Happen spontaneously
Natural, unavoidable
Random process

Cells have proofreading mechanisms to correct these errors but occasional errors go uncorrected.

The mutation rate varies from species to species, but is around 2 mutations per 100,000 genes per generation.

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5
Q

what is a silent mutation

A

when a mutation does not effect the protein that is formed

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6
Q

what is a nonsense mutation

A

when a codon is replaced with a stop codon

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7
Q

what is a missense

A

there are two

conservative - which does not change the property e.g if its non- polar

non-conservative - when the charactistic changes

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8
Q

how is it possible to have a mutation that has no effect on an organism’s phenotype ?

A
  1. silent mutation
  2. DNA mutations may occure in introns
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9
Q

what are chromosome mutations

A

non-disjunction which may cause a pheonotype of down syndrome . therefor more gene are going to be switched on which may cause too nuch proteins or enzymes to be made

Nondisjunction is the failure of the chromosomes to separate, which produces daughter cells with abnormal numbers of chromosomes.

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10
Q

what is development

A

Development involves the specialisation of cells and arranging them into functional units.

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11
Q

what is becoming adapt

A

cellular differentiation

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12
Q

what is it called when a sperm cells fuses with a egg cell

A

zygote

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13
Q

after a zygote has formed what is formed next and what type of cell e.g toti / uni potent

A

morula (about 16 cells )
totipotent

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14
Q

what can totipotent cells make

A

everycell in the body
that includes placenta and amniotic sac

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15
Q

info card (read and recite)

A

In an adult, all cells are specialised.

They have already been through the process of differentiation and cannot transform into another type of cell.

Only embryonic stem cells have the capacity to become any type of cell.

We call this ability….
totipotency

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16
Q

what is the definition of totipotency

A

Totipotent cells have the ability to develop into any cell found in the human body.

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17
Q

why is totipotency usefull

A

This is obviously useful during embryo development, as we start off as a single cell, but are eventually a collection of millions of different cell types.

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18
Q

when a cell specialises what happens to it

A

the specialisation is irreversible.

and the potential is less

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19
Q

what are multipotent cells

A

they are called adult stem cells and they can diffrintiate down a linearage

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20
Q

why is totipotency usefull during embryo development

A

as we start off as a single cell, but are eventually a collection of millions of different cell types.

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21
Q

what happens when a cell becomes fully specialised . e.g liver cell or brain cell

A

certain genes are turned off or on depending on there function and cannot be turned on again , however the gene is still there.

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22
Q

during the process of differentiation the what cellular functions change

A
  1. size
  2. shape
  3. metabolism
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23
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

in mammals differentiation is generally not reversible. however , it can be reversed in plants.

Stem cells from a developing embryo can develop into any cell type….

......so a patient with paralysis or brain damage could benefit

if stem cells could be instructed to grow into new nerve cells.
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24
Q

cells that can differentiate are called
mammals _____
plants ________

A

mammels : stem cells
plants : meristematic

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25
Q

how can bone marrow transplants be used to help patients with leukaemia

A

Because bone marrow contains stem cell that can differentiate into blood cells…..

…..bone marrow transplants can help a patient with leukaemia develop healthy blood cells.

Stem cells from adult bone marrow have LIMITED uses though.

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26
Q

what is leukaemia

A

Leukaemia is cancer of the blood. The blood cells grow out of control, and abnormally. With abnormal white blood cells, a person with leukaemia can’t fight off disease.

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27
Q

stem cells are diffrent from other cells of the body because stem cells can both:

A
  1. self renew : make copys of them selves
  2. differentiate : spesilise for a spesific role
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28
Q

draw a diagram of a stem cell self renewing and differentaiting

A

two arrows from a stem cell

1st arrow pointing to an exact copy of the stem cell

2nd arrow pointing to a specialised cell

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29
Q

what is the definiton of :
potency

A

A measure of how many types of specialized cell a stem cell can make

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30
Q

what is the definiton of :
tetopotent

A

Totipotent- Can make all the specialized cells in the body, and the cells in the extra-embryonic membranes (chorion, amnion, placenta). Embryonic cells within the first couple of divisions are totipotent

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31
Q

what is the definiton of :
pluripotent

A

Can make all types of specialized cells in the body Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent

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32
Q

what is the definiton of :
multipotent

A

Can make multiple types of specialized cells, but not all types Tissue stem cells are multipotent

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33
Q

what is the definiton of :
unipotent

A

Can differentiate along only one lineage, and can produce only 1 type of cell

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34
Q

list the order of potency in order from highest to lowest :
Multipotent
Totipotent
Pluripotent
Unipotent

A

Totipotent > Pluripotent >Multipotent > Unipotent

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35
Q

why is it that some genes are never switched off and give examples

A

There are some genes that all cells express. These contain the instructions for essential processes, e.g:

Enzymes involved in respiration

Enzymes involved in membrane/organelle synthesis

tRNA production

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36
Q

what type of cell is insulin made from / expressed

A

beta - cells

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37
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

In unicellular and simple multicellular organisms each cell is capable of performing all functions.

Not so in more complex organisms.

All cells are derived by mitosis and so contain the same instructions, yet they develop differently and differentiate, i.e. they become specialised for particular functions.

Once differentiated they lose:
ability to divide.
totipotency i.e. ability to do everything.

Structure of specialised cells suits their function.

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38
Q

where can you find embryonic stem cells

A

blastocyst - a very early embryo

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39
Q

give a description of totipotent cells in the embryo

A

Found in the embryo in very early development (1-5 days). Can form all the tissues in the body, as well as the extra-embryonic membranes (chorion and amnion)

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40
Q

give the general featurs of stem cells

A

self renew
divide rarely
high potency
rare

41
Q

give the general featurs of more spesilised cells (progenitors)

A

multipotent
divide rapidly
non self renewal

42
Q

what are specialized cells

A

they are cells that can no longer diffrientate

43
Q

where are blood stem cells found

A

bone marrow

44
Q

what is the use of having multipotent cells

A

they replace cells that are damaged or unhealthy . because they are limmited to the number of cells they can diffrentiate to

45
Q

give examples of unipotent cells

A

cardiomyocytes - form cardiac mucle
they have there own precurser stem cells

46
Q

how can embryonic stem cells be used for medical applications ?

A

calls taken from an embryo can be cultivated to produce more embyo cells , these cells can then be specilised under spesific conditions to produce specilised cells.

47
Q

what are the four main sources of stem cells

A

Embryonic Stem Cells:

Come from the embryo early in development. (Pluripotent)

Umbilical Cord Stem Cells:

Derived from umbilical cord blood, similar to adult stem cells.( Multipotent)

Placental Stem Cells:

Found in the placenta. (Multipotent)

Adult Stem Cells:

Despite the name, are found in the body tissues from the foetal stage of development into and throughout adulthood. (Multipotent)

48
Q

describe the process of cultivating and spesilising stem cells

A
  1. embryonic stem cells taken from
    the inner cell mass
  2. culture in the lab
    to grow more cells
  3. they then diffrentiate diffrently in diffrent conditions

The big challenge for scientists is to learn how to control these fascinating cells. If we could force embryonic stem cells to make whatever kind of cell we want, then we would have a powerful tool for developing treatments for disease. For example, perhaps we could grow new insulin-producing cells to transplant into a patient with diabetes.

49
Q

what does IPS stand for
what is it trying to do
how would it work

A

induced pluripotent stem cells

the ability to take adult cells and turn them into stem cells

  1. reprogramming : proteins called transcription factors are added that ‘switch on’ the long dormant genes nessery for a cell to be pluripotent
  2. differentiation : given the right chemical stimulus a cell can be encouraged to specilise into a complimentory diffrent type of cell
50
Q

what are the benifits of using stem cells

A

great potential to treat a wide variety of diseases from diabetes and paralysis

organs developed from a patient’s own stem cells reduces the risk of organ rejection and the need to wait for an organ donation

adult stem cells are already used successfully in a variety of tratments acting as proof of benefits

51
Q

what are the risks / issues of using stem cells

A

stem cells cultured in the lab could become infected with a virus which could be transmitted to the patient

there is a risk of cultured stem cells accumulating mutations that can lead to them develpoing into cancer cells

low number of stem cells donors

52
Q

what are the social issues of using stem cells

A

it is possible for embryonic stem cells to be collected before birth (from amniotic fuild) or after birth (umbilical cord blood ) and stored by a clinic - but this can be expensive and isn’t an option for everyone

a lack of peer-reviewed clinical evidance of the success of stem cell tratment

educating the public sufficientlyabout what stem cells can and cannot be used for.

53
Q

what are the ethical issues of using stem cells

A

stem cells may be sourced from unused embryos produced in ivf treatment - is it right to use them ? who gives permission ?

is it right to create embryos through cloning and then destroy them ? who owns the embryo ?

should an embryo be trated as a person with human rights ? or as a commodity ?

54
Q

compare an embryonic cell with a liver cell and how there genes are activated

A

An embryonic stem cell will have all genes turned on.

A specialised liver cell will have the genes that code for the function of a liver cell switched on, as shown on the right, others switched off.

55
Q

What are transcription factors?

A

They are proteins which move in from the cytoplasm and bind to DNA at specific sites called PROMOTERS, which are found near the start of a target gene ( about 100 base pairs upstream)

56
Q

what do transcription factors do

A

Transcription factors enable RNA Polymerase to attach to the start of the gene and BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION:

57
Q

waht are the two types of transcription factors

A

ACTIVATORS – they help RNA polymerase bind and activate transcription.

REPRESSORS and decrease the rate of transcription because they slow or prevent RNA polymerase from binding

58
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
All transcription factors are present in all cells

A

false

59
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
They are made of carbohydrates

A

false

60
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
They bind to promotors

A

true

61
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
All transcription factors are activators

A

false

62
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
Some are present in particular cells

A

true

63
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
Some are present at a particular stage of development

A

true

64
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
They are all created in an inactive form and then are activated by other molecules

A

false

65
Q

transcription factors ,true or false :
They are only made in the nucleus

A

false

66
Q

describe the structure of a DNA nucliotide

A

phosphate group , deoxyribose suger , nitrogenous bases

67
Q

where does transcription take place

A

in the nucleious of the cell

68
Q

define an exon

A

it is the coding region of the genone

69
Q

name the enzyme involved in joining adjasent RNA nucleotides in transcription

A

RNA polymerase

70
Q

why is the genetic code described as degenerate

A

as despite a mutation many codons can code for a singular amino acid

there are many codons that code for the same amino acid

71
Q

name 4 types of mutation

A

point mutation
deleation
addition
insertion
substitution
translocation

72
Q

how does oestrogen regulates transcription

A
  1. oestrogen is lipid soluable and there for diffuses through the cell surface membrrane
  2. oestrogen binds to the receptor of the transcription factor
  3. the transcription factor changes shape because of this
  4. transcription factor binds to promotor region and causes an increase or decrease in transcription of that gene
73
Q

is oestrogen an activator or represor

A

its both

74
Q

oestrogen binds with a transcription factor to make what

A

oestrogen-oestrogen

75
Q

waht are the two main ways in which epigenetics are caused

A

DNA methilation
histone acetilation

76
Q

what are some main causes of epigentics

A

diet
pollution
smoking
alcohol
radiation
chemical
enviroment
medicine
microbiomes
exercise
financial stress
drugs and abuse
disease
seasonal correlations
mental state
social interactions

77
Q

where does the methyl group attatch to ?

A

the cytosine nucliotide

78
Q

where does the acetyl groups bind to

A

they bind to the histone tails

79
Q

what does methylation of cytosine do

A

it causes the DNA molecule to coil around the histones more , this makes it harder for transcription factors to bind and or polymerase to act

this silences / reduces transcription

80
Q

what does histone modification do

A

DNA is negativly charged , acetyl groups (which are negative) bind to the histones , this shares the charge which weakens the bond between the DNA and histone.

also attacting proteins that condense the DNA - histone complex

this causes the DNA to be less coiled around the DNA , more transcription factors bind which can lead to an increase in translation

81
Q

how many genes are there all together

A

around 20,000

82
Q

how can epigenetics cause cancer

A

by increasing/decrease the transcription of or the tumour suppresor gene or the proto onco gene

83
Q

what is HDAC and what does it do

A

HDAC ( histone deacetylase) inhibitors

they block the enxyme which removes acetyle groups off histones , this then causes the gene to be more expressed increasing transcription

84
Q

’ epigenetic involves permanent changes to the DNA that can be passed on from parent to offspring ‘
evaulate this statment :

A

true - epigenetic changes in the DNA can be heritable (transgenarational inheritance )

flase - enviromental factors may add or remove them

85
Q

what is the name given to chromatin that is tightly wounded

A

heterochromatin

86
Q

what is the name given to chromatin that is loosly wounded

A

euchromatin

87
Q

draw out a methyl group

A

CH3 +

88
Q

draw out a acetyl group

A

CH3CO -

89
Q

info card (read and recite)

A

Incorrect activation of a normally inactive gene linked with cancer e.g. tumour suppressor gene / oncogenes

Patients with colorectal cancer had less DNA methylation that normal = higher than normal gene activity (oncogenes turned on/overexpressed)

90
Q

describe the protoncogene

A

proto-oncogene, stimulates cell division (like the accelerator on a car)

91
Q

describe the tumour supressor gene

A

Genes normally control cell division and division is halted by tumour suppressor genes when sufficient cells have been produced for growth and repair (like the brakes on a car).

92
Q

describe what small interfearing RNA is

A

In eukaryotes and some prokaryotes, translation of the mRNA produced from target genes can be inhibited by RNA interference (RNAi)

Small, double-stranded RNA molecules called small interfering RNA (siRNA) bind to mRNA that has been transcribed from target genes (the genes to be ‘silenced’) as their base sequence is complementary

Each siRNA is attached to a protein complex which is able to breakdown the mRNA that has been transcribed from target genes (the genes to be ‘silenced’)

Therefore, the mRNA is unable to be translated into proteins

93
Q

describe how RNA interface works

A

Double stranded RNA (dsRNA) is produced by RNA-dependent RNA polymerases (RDRs)

dsRNA is hydrolysed into smaller fragments, roughly 23 nucleotides long, called small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)

In the cytoplasm, siRNAs bind to protein complexes which use energy from ATP to separate the two strands of the siRNA

This exposes the nucleotide bases so they are able to pair with bases from an mRNA molecule

Once the target mRNA leaves the nucleus and enters the cytoplasm, single-stranded siRNA binds to the target mRNA throughcomplementary base pairing

The mRNA molecule is cut into fragments by theenzyme/protein complexassociated with the siRNA

Cut mRNA cannot be translated and thereforewill not produce proteins

After the target mRNA has been cut up into fragments, the fragments are broken down into RNA nucleotides by enzymes

94
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

siRNAs created againstviral genetic material will signal for their degradation and stop the virus from using the host’s cellular machinery to replicate itself

siRNAs can be used in cancer treatment by targetingoncogenesthat have been expressed or upregulated

This reduces the number of proteins produced that can lead to cancer or that maintain cancerous growth

95
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

When a CH3 ( methyl) group is joined onto a something we say that METHYLATION has occurred.

Methylation of DNA is a way of regulating gene expression by controlling whether TRANSCRIPTION or TRANSLATION occurs.

If too much or too little METHYLATION occurs there can be problems.

HYPER = Too much HYPO = Low

96
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

When functioning normally proto oncogenes stimulate cell division by producing proteins that make the cell divide.

If a mutation occurs in a proto oncogene, the gene can become overactive and stimulate the cells to divide uncontrollably. This mutated proto oncogene is called an ONCOGENE and can lead to CANCER

97
Q

info card (read and recite )

A

When functioning normally these inhibit and slow down cell division by producing proteins that stop cells dividing or cause them to self destruct ( apoptosis)

If a mutation occurs a tumour can develop.

98
Q

what are transcription factors made of

A

proteins

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