3 genetics Flashcards
(176 cards)
gene
a heritable factor that consists of a length of DNA and influences a specific characteristic.
allele
the various, specific forms of a gene that usually vary from each other by one or a few bases.
gene locus
the specific position of a gene on a chromosome.
what is the diploid state
having a pari of each kind of chromosome
what is the haploid state
having one copy of each chromosome
homozygous if
two copies of the same allele
heterozygous if
you have two different alleles
chromosomes
long DNA molecules, which contain many genes.
how are new alleles created
by mutation
causes of mutation
random
radiation
environment
mutagens
what is a base substitution mutation
a mutation that changes one nitrogenous base in a sequence
what is a genome
all the genetic information of an organism.
HUMAN GENOME PROJECT
.
what is sickle cell anemia
a common genetic disease in areas where malaria is endemic.
what causes sickle cell anaemia
one base substitution causes the glutamic acid to be mutated to valine as the sicth amino acid in the beta haemoglobin polypeptide
GAG to GTG in sense DNA
GAG to GUG in the base sequence of mrna
how is hemoglobin formed
by 2 copies of the beta subunit combining with two alpha subunits and four heme groups
what happens to hemoglobin in low oxygen levels
the glutamic acid interacts well with water, keeping all the hemoglobin molecuels dissolved inside the erythocyte. the valine is hydrophobic, allowing the beta subunits to join together. when the hemoglobin polymerises into long fibres it causes two problems, its ability to carry oygen is significatnyl reduced and the long fibres poke into the cell membrane, giving the red blood cell the characteristic curved sickle cell appearane.
problems cauesd by sickle cell
can get stuck and clog blood vessels anywhere in the body, causing intense pain as blood supply fails. if this happens in the brain it could cause a stroke.
what must be done iwth sickle cells
broken down and eliminated from bidy which strains the liver and causes a shortage of functioning red blood cell. new red blood cells must be madei n the bone marrow to replace the cells lost, and the extra work can damage bone structure
what is pleiotropy
when one gene has multiple effects
when does sickle cell anemia occur
when a person is homozygous for Hb S
what if someone has a heterzygous genotype of HbA HbS
the hemoglobin contains some beta subunits with valinea nd some with glutamic acid. the cells will ony sickle when ingected with plasmodium falciparum (parasite causing malaria) as the body destroys the sickled blood cells, it destryous malaria with it.
Hb A Hb A
homozygous for normal hemoglobin, no sickling, no protection from malaria
Hb A Hb S
heterozygous, carriers of the sickle cell trait, protection from malaria