Genes, Genomes and Gene Expression Flashcards
(13 cards)
Why is knowledge of genetic information flow essential in molecular biology?
It enables the development of gene therapy, mRNA vaccines, and anti-sense oligonucloetides
What is the Central Dogma of Molecular Biology?
DNA encodes genetic information, which is transcirbes into mRNA, carrying the program for protein synthesis
What is gene therapy?
Cirrection of faulty genes to treat disease
What is Artimes and its role in immunity?
A DNA recombination enzyme that enables immune receptor diversity, without it, no functional immune system exists
Define a genome
The complete set of genetic sequences in an organism, including nuclar and organelle DNA
What is the genetic contribution of mitochondria?
Mitochondria inherit DNA exclusively from the mother
What is the differnce between genotype and phenotype?
Genotype refers to genetic makeup
Phenotype refers to observable traits
What are key differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic genes?
Prokaryotic - No introns, co-linear mRNA/DNA, simple promoter, can be polycistronic
Eularyotic - Contains intons, exons encode proteins, monocistronic, complex promoter
How does gene complexity correlate with organism size?
Larger animals have larger and more complex promoters
What is an allele?
One or more versions of the same gene
What is a wild-type allele?
Encodes a functional protein
What are neutral mutations?
DNA sequence changes that do not affect phenotype
Basic terms to meorise:
1 - Promoter
2 - Transcribed region
3 - Start codon
4 - Stop codon
5 - 5’UTR
6 - 3’UTR
7 - Terminator
8 - ORF (Open Readinf Frame)
9 - Gene Transcription
10 - mRNA Translation
1 - Regulatory sequence controlling gene expression
2 - DNA sequence transcribed into mRNA
3 - Signals translation initation
4 - Signals translation termination
5 - Untranslated region affecting translation efficiency
6 - Untranslated region affecting mRNA stability
7 - Ends transcription
8 - Encodes the protein
9 - mRNA synthesis
10 - Protein synthesis
