Comparative Genome Analysis Flashcards
How do plant genomes differ to animal genomes?
Plants possess nuclear, mitochondrial and plastid DNA. Genome size and chromosome number varies heavily.
Are micro/megaspores haploid or diploid?
Haploid.
Is pollen haploid or diploid?
Diploid.
What is the plastid genome responsible for?
Translation, photosynthesis and RuBisCO production.
What is the mitochondrial genome responsible for?
Translation and respiration.
How do we know the size of plant genomes?
By using flow cytometry.
How do you perform flow cytometry?
Add leaf discs to lysis buffer. Extract nuclei and remove cell debris. Place in flow cytometry machine.
What is c-value?
The constant size of the haploid genome (measured in pg).
What is the c-value paradox?
Similar species can have quite different genome sizes and does not seem to relate to the number of genes encoded.
Why are some plant genomes so large?
Some include a lot of repetitive DNA like tandem and dispersed repeats.
What are Class 1 and Class 2 transposons?
Transposons are genetic elements that can jump between locations. Class 1 (retrotransposons) move via an RNA copy. Class 2 move via DNA.
What are the functions of telomeres?
To protect the chromosome ends and avoid shortening. They attach the chromosome to the nuclear envelope.
What is the plant telomere sequence?
TTTAGGG
What is the animal telomere sequence?
TTAGGG
Aside from their sequences, how do plant and animal telomeres differ?
Plant telomeres never shorten as plant meristems express telomerase.
