GENETICS (incl. meiosis) Flashcards
(60 cards)
define chromatin (in context of genetics)
the combination of protein and DNA that make up chromosomes, untangled and loose
define chromatid
one of two identical halves of a chromosome after replication
define chromosome
a threadlike structure of DNA and protein, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.
define diploid vs haploid
A diploid cell has two of each chromosome (a homologous pair) in its nucleus and is notated as 2n. A haploid cell only has one of each chromosome and is notated as n
tetrad/bivalent
a structure formed in zygotene of prophase I, consisting of two homologous chromosomes, each composed of two identical sister chromatids.
chiasmata
X-shaped point of contact between two homologous chromatids where crossing over ocurred
synapsis
the pairing of homologous chromosomes into a tetrad so that crossing over can occur
reduction division
another name for meiosis I, named because it results in cells with half the chromosomes of the original cell
centromere
the constricted region in the centre of a condensed, replicated chromosome, where sister chromatids are attached to each other
kinetochore
the protein complex located in the centromere region of each chromatid to which spindle fibres attach during cell division
telomere
a region of repeating DNA sequences at both ends of each chromosome
list the phases of meiosis including sub-phases of prophase I
PROPHASE I
{
leptotene
zygotene
pachytene
diplotene
diakinesis
}
METAPHASE I
ANAPHASE I
TELOPHASE I
PROPHASE II
METAPHASE II
ANAPHASE II
TELOPHASE II
leptotene
substage of prophase I in which chromosomes begin to condense
zygotene
substage of prophase I in which synapsis occurs, forming a tetrad.
pachytene
substage of prophase I in which chromosomes are fully condensed and crossing over occurs, chromosomes become more distinct and nuclear memebrane disappears
diplotene
substage of prophase I in which the synaptonemal complex dissolves but chiasmata remain, keeping homologous pairs attached
diakinesis
substage of prophase I in which chiasmata separate and spindle fibres form.
crossing over
the exchange of genes between non-sister homologous chromatids, resulting in new combinations of genetic information (recombinant DNA)
gamete
a mature, haploid cell, male or female (sperm or egg) that can fuse with another of the opposite sex to form a zygote
zygote
a fertilized diploid cell resulting from the union of a male and female gamete
nondisjunction and aneuploidy
NONDISJUNCTION is a genome mutation in which either homologous pairs fail to separate (anaphase I) or centromeres fail to separate (anaphase II), resulting in daughter cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes (ANEUPLOIDY)
trisomy
a chromosome present in 3 copies instead of 2 as a result of nondisjunction
monosomy
a chromosome is present in 1 copy instead of 2 as a result of nondisjunction
deletion (chromosome structural mutation)
a segment of a chromosome is lost