Lecture 1 Flashcards
Genome
Total amount of genetic material in a chromosome set
Gene
DNA sequence coding for a protein or a functional RNA
UTR
Non-coding region (portion not translated) of mRNA molecule
Gene fragment
Non-functional gene relic consisting of a short isolated region from within a gene
Pseudogenes
DNA sequences that resemble functional genes but are non-functional in that they no longer encode functional proteins or are otherwise no longer expressed in the cell
Transposon
DNA segment that can move from one position in the genome to another (non-homologous) position
Tandem repeat
A repeated end-to-end duplication of a core DNA sequence at a defined locus
Microsatellite
An array of very short tandem repeats (2-6 base pairs each).
Minisatellite
Similar to microsatellite, but repeat unit is larger (usually 10-60bp)
Chromatin
Mass of genetic material composed of DNA and proteins that condense to form chromosomes. The building block of chromatin is the nucleosome
Nucleosome
Short length of DNA (147bp) wrapped around octameric core of four histone proteins (2 copies each of histone H2A, H2B, H3 and H4)
Where is the majority of the genome in Euk cells?
As chromosomes in the nucleus
What is contained within a genome? (7)
Genes (exons and introns)
Regulatory regions (gene promoters, terminators)
Centromere
Telomere
Rep Origins
Junk DNA (simple repetitive regions, but not centromeres/telomeres) (Transposons)
What are transposons?
DNA segment that can move from one position in the genome to another (non-homologous) position. Jumping genes, mobile genetic elements
How much of the 3200Mb Human Genome is for Genes?
48Mb
Describe the gene in terms of units of heredity?
Fundamental physical unit of hereditary which occupies a specific chromosomal locus
The 5’ to 3’ strand is described as what?
Top, Forward, Watson
The 3’ to 5’ strand is described as what?
Bottom, Reverse, Crick
What are exons?
Sequences that are present in the mature mRNA
What are introns?
Sequences that interrupt eukaryotic genes, and are spliced out of the mRNA