Genetics Flashcards
(240 cards)
Phenotype:
Discernible properties of an individual.
Genotype:
The genetic information that influences discernible properties.
What are the two types unicellular eukaryotic organisms?
Fungi and Protoctista
What makes up eukaryotic chromosomes?
Chromatin (DNA and Histone proteins)
What is cytogenetics?
The study of chromosomes.
What is the karyotype?
The chromosome complement of an individual.
What is the p arm of a chromosome?
The “petite” (shorter) arm
What is the name of the longer arm of the chromosome?
The q arm
How many chromosomes in a healthy human are autosomes?
22
What is meant by diploid?
Two homologous chromosomes with the same genes but different alleles.
Are all eukaryotes diploid?
No.
What is a gene?
A unit of hereditary information that occupies a fixed position on a chromosome.
What are the 3 regions which typically make-up a eukaryotic protein-coding region?
The upstream flanking region, the transcriptional unit, the downstream flanking region.
Cytoplasmic inheritance?
Some DNA in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Organelles originate from ancient endosymbiotic events. As egg cell has large volume, cytoplasmic inheritance is determined by maternal inheritance.
Euchromatin:
Loosely packed chromatin.
Heterochromatin:
Condensed structure that does not allow the expression of genes in that region.
Why is there variation between cells of multicellular organism?
Specialisation (differentiation) can occur post division -> share genetic information, however differ in expression.
Why is eukaryotic DNA replication “semi” continuous?
The 5’ to 3’ leading strand is replicated continuously, whereas the 3’ to 5’ lagging strand is replicated in fragments.
G1: Cell cycle
Cell increases in size, ribosomes and RNA produced, DNA prepared for synthesis.
S phase: Cell Cycle
DNA is synthesised.
G2 Phase: Cell Cycle
Cell check for fidelity of the DNA, prepares for nuclear division.
Prophase:
Chromosomes condense -> become visible. Chromosome now comprises 2 chromatids and a single centromere.
What protein holds together sister chromatids?
Cohesin
The mitotic spindle:
Cytoskeletal structure made of microtubules (tubulin protein polymer). The spindle separates sister chromatids to daughter cells -. achieves this by shortening microtubules.