Genetics Midterm Part 1 Flashcards
(178 cards)
Are the basic physical and functional unit of heredity. Made up of DNA, acts as instructions to make molecules called proteins.
Genes
alternate forms of a gene which occupy the same locus on homologous chromosomes. Indicated by uppercase (dominant A) and lowercase letters (recessive a)
Typically a gene will have two of these, but it is possible for three to be present
alleles
thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of cells. Made of protein and a single strand of DNA
chromosome
the specific location or position of a gene on a chromosome
locus
part of the genetic makeup of a cell, and therefore of an organism or individual, which determines a specific characteristic (phenotype) of that cell/organism/individual.
One of three factors that determine phenotype, the other two being inherited epigenetic factors, and non-inherited environmental factors
genotype
observable traits; result from interactions between your genes and the environment. Differences in some ___________, like height, are determined mostly by genes. If you have short parents and grandparents, you probably don’t tower over your peers, though environmental factors like a healthy diet might give you a little lift
phenotype
changing the function in a way that can be viewed, often a gain of function
An allele that overrules a recessive allele, and only one copy of this allele is needed to express the trait
dominant
often a loss of function
masked by a dominant allele, and both alleles must be present to express the trait.
recessive
A diploid organism is ____________ at a gene locus when its cells contain two different alleles of a gene. The cell or organism is called a ___________ specifically for the allele in question, therefore, this refers to a specific genotype
heterozygous; heterozygote
When an individual has two of the same allele, whether dominant or recessive
homozygous
containing two complete sets of chromosomes, one from each parent
diploid
term used when a cell has half the usual number of chromosomes. A normal eukaryotic organism is composed of diploid cells, one set of chromosomes from each parent. However, after meiosis, the number of chromosomes in gametes is halved contributing to this
haploid
(of a nucleus, cell, or organism) having an exact multiple of the haploid number of chromosomes
euploid
the presence of an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, such as having 45 or 47 chromosomes when 46 is expected. It does not include a difference of one or more complete sets of chromosomes, which is called euploidy
Aneuploid
An alteration in a gene that is present for the first time in one family member as a result of a mutation in a germ cell (egg or sperm) of one of the parents or in the fertilized egg itself
de novo mutations
denotes the presence of two or more populations of cells with different genotypes in one individual who has developed from a single fertilized egg. Think calico cats and X inactivation. In each of our cells, one X is turned off, but it is not necessarily always the same X chromosome. Even though X chromosomes are homologous, they are different because we inherit one from each parent
may result from a mutation during development which is propagated to only a subset of the adult cells
Mosaicism
when several different genes result in one phenotype
Heterogeneity
an individual showing features characteristic of a genotype other than its own, but produced environmentally rather than genetically
Phenocopy
determined by one or more genes as well as the environment. Genes + environment = birth defects. Cleft lip/palate and spina bifida are examples, NIHL and ARHL can be too
Multifactorial Traits
One gene causes multiple phenotypic effects in the body
A mutation in this gene may have an effect on some or all traits simultaneously
ex: phenylketonuria: a human disease that affects multiple systems but is caused by one gene defect
Pleiotropy
● May be due to errors in meiosis or environmental factors
● A high contributor to miscarriages
● Occur in 2% of pregnancies in women over 35 years old
● Can be attributed to 50-70% of first-trimester miscarriages
● 7/1,000 Births
Chromosome Abnormalities
Chromosomes other than sex chromosomes. Humans have 22 pairs of this
autosomes
X and Y Chromosomes
Sex Chromosomes
part of a chromosome that links sister chromatids. During mitosis, spindle fibers attach to the __________ via the kinetochore. Note: It may not always be in the middle
Centromere