Genetics 1 Flashcards
(165 cards)
Why have genetic factors become more important in determining the patterns of diseases?
we have experienced improved sanitation, nutrition, public health, and treatments
What are some difficulties in determining the prevalence of genetic disorders in populations?
- some disorders are more common in certain ethnic groups or in certain locations
- some recessively inherited disorders are more common in populations with a history of isolation and consanguineous matings
- some diseases that are genetically determined or influenced (cancer, alzheimers, CVD) are usually not manifested until later in life (delayed penetrance)
Are all mutations harmful? When do most mutations occur? What mutation are passed to the next generation?
- can be harmful causing a disease
- can be beneficial leading to adaptation and evolution
- can be neutral
- most occur during mitosis (somatic) or meiosis (germ)
- mutation in germ cells are passed on
- mutation is the source of all genetic variation, good or bad
What mutations does natural selection favor?
favors mutations that are beneficial while decreasing the prevalence of harmful mutations that make successful reproduction less likely
What genes are more likely to be mutated? why? example?
- large genes because they have more DNA
- Duchenne muscular dystrophy is caused by mutation to Dystrophin gene, 2.3 Mb of DNA, all cases are due to new mutations
What is the expected result of mitosis? whats involved? is genetic material exchanged between chromosomes?
- 2 daughter cells with same genetic makeup as parent cell
- 2 copies of each autosomal chromosome- diploid 2n
- involves DNA replication and random segregation of chromosomes to daughter cells
- no exchange of material, no cross over
What are the phases of mitosis?
Interphase Prophase Pro metaphase Metaphase Anaphase Telophase Cytokinesis
What is the chromosome and DNA content in Interphase? What does N and C mean?
- 2N chromosome content (2 X 23 = 46 chromosomes), diploid
- 2C DNA content= amount of DNA included in 23 haploid chromosomes
In S phase, prior to prophase, what happens? What is the chromosome and DNA content?
- DNA is replicated to generate two identical copies of each of the 46 chromosomes
- 2N chromosome and 4C DNA
After mitosis, who is the chromosome and DNA content?
- 2N chromosome
- 2C DNA
What happens in metaphase? What are sister chromatids? What holds them together?
- sister chromatids are condensed and lined up in the center of the cell
- sister chromatids= two copies of replicated chromosomes held together by centromeres
What can be studied by cytogenetics? in what phase?
-one can study the material for karyotyping in metaphase
Where are cells most commonly obtained for karyotyping?
from circulating lymphocytes
Describe the process of karyotyping?
- blood sample is added to a nutrient medium that contain phytohemagluttinin which stimulates T cells to divide
- cells are maintained in this medium for about 3 days
- colchicine is added which causes arrest of the cell cycle in metaphase
- hypotonic saline causes the RBCs to lyse and chromosomes to spread
- cells are fixed onto a slide, then treated with trypsin and stained
What is G banding?
- Giemsa staining
- most commonly used to stain cells in karyotyping
- gives reproducible light and dark bands
What is the most common clinical indications for chromosome analysis?
newborn with multiple congenital malformations or a child with developmental delay
What is an ideogram used for?
the banding pattern of each chromosome is specific and can be shown in a stylized ideal karyotype
What can a karyotype detect?
- changes in chromosome number
- large insertions or deletions (indels)
What is a normal male karyotype?
- 22 pairs of autosomes
- one X and one Y chromosome (Females XX)
What is fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH)? What is the process? What is detected?
- combines conventional cytogenetics with molecular genetic technology
- single stranded DNA probe is labeled with fluorochrome and allowed to anneal with its complement DNA
- chromosome specific unique sequence probes can detect micro deletions
- series of probes can paint a particular chromosome to detect complex rearrangements
What are the stable ends of chromosomes?
telomeres
What does the centromere region consist of? Function?
- constricted region where the kinetochores form and spindle microtubules attach
- these are used in metaphase to line up in the middle and then they are pulled apart
The centromere divides chromosomes into what?
long arm (q) and short arm (p)
What chromosomes are acrocentric? What do the short arms consist of? What is the structure of the short arms?
- 13, 14, 15, 21, 22
- consist of genes encoding ribosomal RNA
- regions are decondensed and form stalks with knobs at the ends called satellites