Genetics and Evolution Flashcards
(131 cards)
Are gene products always proteins?
no, tRNA and rRNA genes and other small nuclear RNA genes do not encode polypeptides
Locus?
specific location where a gene is located on a specific chromosome
Can all physical traits be mapped on a single locus?
no, some complex traits can be controlled by many different genes and can map on many loci
Is it possible for there to be more than two different alleles of a specific gene?
yes
What is true of an individual that has two different alleles at a given locus?
there is a different allele on each of the two members of a homologous pair
Can a haploid organism like an adult fungus have recessive alleles?
no because there is only one copy of the gene
Classical Dominance?
there are three genotypes (CC, Cc, cc) but only two phenotypes are expressed because whenever the dominant is present it will be expressed
Incomplete Dominance?
phenotype is a blended mix of the alleles (red and white make pink flowers)
How many phenotypes are possible if red and white flowers display incomplete dominance?
3 (red, white, pink)
Codominance?
two alleles are both expressed but not blended (ABO blood)
What is the phenotype of an individual heterozygous for blood type A and B alleles?
AB
What is the phenotype of an individual heterozygous for blood type B and i alleles?
B
If a woman heterozygous for type A blood marries a man who is heterozygous for type B blood, what are the possible genotypes of their children?
A (A,i)
B (B,i)
AB (A,B)
O (i,i)
The Rhesus factor (Rh) follows a _____ _____ pattern.
classically dominant
Rh positive = RR, Rr
Rh negative = rr
Pleiotropism?
altering of many different, seemingly unrelated aspects of the organism’s phenotype
Polygenism?
complex traits that are influenced by many different genes (ex. height)
Penetrance?
likelihood that a person with a given genotype will express the expected phenotype
Epistasis?
expression of alleles for one gene is dependent on a different gene
100 people are homozygous for an allele that is implicated in cancer, but only 20 develop cancer. What are potential explanations for why only some people express a gene if they have the same genotype?
- the trait for cancer is probably polygenic
- cancer development is also influenced by the environment, such as exposure to carcinogens, which complicates the penetrance of the gene
What pattern of expression will a recessive allele on the X chromosome display in males?
it will always be expressed because men only have one X chromosome
Sex linked traits?
traits determined by genes on the X or Y chromosome
What type of cell division produces haploid cells from diploid cells by reducing the number of copies of each chromosome for two to one?
meiosis
Where does meiosis occur in males? females?
What is the end result for both?
males- testes, haploid spermatozoa
females- ovaries, ova
What are the specialized cells in males that undergo meiosis? females?
males- spermatogonia
females- oogonia