Lecture 2 - Exam 1 Flashcards
Describe what happens in endosymbiosis.
Archaea engulfed a bacteria cell. Endosymbiosis occurred and most genes of endocytosed bacterium are transferred to host genome. Form new eukaryotic cell with a nucleus and mitochondria.
An RNA molecule can catalyze what?
Its own synthesis.
What does model systems refer to?
A non-human species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena present in many related organisms.
While studies of model systems are important to science, only human studies are beneficial to medical research. T or F.
False. Many metabolic pathways, developmental patterns, and even genes are shared across microbe, plant, and animal groups.
T or F. Stuff learned from experiments performed by one cell type are generally applicable to other cells (some animals may be better for certain questions you’re asking in research, though b/c of the great diversity in the types of cells any organism contains).
True.
Describe E. Coli as a model organism.
Excellent models for fundamental aspects of biochemistry and molecular biology because of their comparative simplicity.
They are easy to grow in the lab.
Small genome.
Can make 108 cells from one single cell overnight.
What are the concepts of molecular biology that come from E. coli?
DNA replication, the genetic code, gene expression, and protein synthesis.
Describe Yeast as a model organism.
Have many of the experimental advantages of E. coli and have provided many insights into eukaryotic cell biology.
Easy to grow and study in the lab.
Small genome.
Can easily grow lots of cells from one single cell over night.
What are the fundamental concepts of eukaryotic cells that have been discovered in yeast?
DNA replication, transcription, RNA processing protein sorting, and cell division.
Describe plant models.
Allow us to understand plant development and physiological mechanisms that are of considerable economic importance and intellectual interest.
Most common: Arabodopsis thalania b/c it has the same qualities as Drosophila and C. elegans.
Smallish genome, easy to grow.
What are metazoans?
Multicellular animals that pass through embryonic stages of development.
The classification of multicellular organisms depends on?
The patterns of their development.
There are 35 metazoan phyla, meaning there are 35 patterns of development that still exist
Describe Vertebrate models.
The most complex animals are vertebrates, including humans and other mammals.
Human genome is large.
Complexity makes it hard to study vertebrates.
Describe Protostome model organisms.
These are insects, snails, flatworms, etc.
Started when vast numbers of genes for the Drosophila body plan formation were characterized. Remarkably, most of these genes are the same ones used in similar processes in most animals, including us.
Why is so important to use the fruit fly as a model organism for a lot of experiments?
They are easy to breed, hardy, and we can use forward genetics.
What are forward genetics?
This means generating a random mutation, often with radiation, and after subsequent breeding, isolating individuals with a weird phenotype.
What are some of the powerful things that have come from forward genetics in fruit flies?
Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway & learning about fetal alcohol syndrome.
Describe invertebrate models.
Allow us to understand the development of multicellular organisms as well as disease. For example: Sea Urchin. Vertebrates are too complex to study, so these organisms are another good way to study similar genes.
