Developmental Genetics Lecture 7

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of developmental genetics?

The study of inherited traits in organisms

The relationships between gene regulation and cell differentiation during development (correct)

The mechanisms of asexual reproduction

The effects of environmental factors on gene expression

All cells in an organism have different genotypes.

False

What are the two key processes that occur after fertilization in development?

Determination and differentiation

The __________ determinants in the embryo trigger the switching on of genes.

cytoplasmic Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Determination = Irreversible commitment to a specific developmental path Differentiation = Expression of a cell's specialized role Zygote = Fertilized egg Phenotype = The expression of the genotype Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a step in the selective gene expression process for cell metabolism?

Post-transcriptional control Signup and view all the answers

The final phenotype of a cell is determined solely by the genetic sequence it contains.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of a mechanism that enables pre-transcriptional control?

Gene amplification or chromatin condensation. Signup and view all the answers

_________ splicing refers to the process where different exons are joined together to produce multiple protein variants.

Differential Signup and view all the answers

Match the gene expression control method to its description:

Pre-transcriptional control = Regulates the availability of DNA for transcription Transcriptional control = Modifies RNA before it becomes a mature mRNA Translational control = Regulates the selection of mRNA for translation Post translational modification = Alters proteins after they are synthesized Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of selective mRNA degradation in gene expression?

To prevent the translation of unwanted proteins Signup and view all the answers

Different chemical environments can induce the expression of different sets of genes.

True Signup and view all the answers

What does differential regulation of gene function imply about cells with the same genotype?

They can have different phenotypes due to the selective expression of genes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Developmental Genetics Lecture 7

Lecture Objectives: Students will be able to:
- Discuss differential gene action.
- Describe gene action mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
- Explain gene control in development.

What is Developmental Genetics?

Studies the relationship between gene regulation and cell differentiation during development.
A fertilized egg develops into an adult organism through regulated growth.
Development is the result of the genome interacting with the cytoplasm and environment.
Development involves multiple gene actions.
The phenotype is the expression of the genotype.
Development involves a programmed sequence of phenotypic events that are typically irreversible.
Development requires the formation of different cell types.
All cells have identical genotypes.
Regulatory events lead to diverse cellular phenotypes.

Differential Gene Action: The Basis of Cell Differentiation

After fertilization, the zygote undergoes embryogenesis.
Active cell division occurs.
Different cell types are formed.
Determination: A cell commits to a specific developmental path irreversibly.
Differentiation: The cell expresses its specialized role.

Initial Cytoplasmic Environment

The initial cytoplasmic environment in the embryo is provided by the maternal genome.
Cytoplasmic determinants initiate the activation of genes.

Embryonic Development

Embryonic development involves a sequence of changing cell populations.
This progression shows a complex pattern of development.

Considerations

Properties of differentiated cells reflect the activity of specific genes.
Cells with the same genotype have varying activity.
A cell typically manifests only a fraction of its genes.
Genes and chromosomes are uniformly distributed.
Chemical environments inside the cell differ.
Environmental factors can affect the expression of genes.
Differential gene regulation leads to diverse functions.

Cell Diversity

Different cell types (sex, muscle, fat, immune, epithelial, nerve, blood, bone) originate from a stem cell.

Enzyme Structure and Cell Differences

Differences in differentiated cells could be largely due to differences in enzyme composition.
Enzyme structure is determined by the DNA.
Protein appearance correlates with active genes.
Qualitative differences in protein content between cells indicate differences in the schedules of gene activation.

Selective Gene Expression in the Phenotype

The final phenotype results from selective gene expression at different stages of cell metabolism.
Pre-transcriptional control is a step in gene expression.
Transcriptional control is another step in gene expression.
Translational control also contributes to gene expression.
Post-translational modification fine-tunes gene expression.

Pre-Transcriptional Control

Gene amplification, observed in oocytes of some species and embryonic cells.
Chromatin condensation/decondensation regulates gene expression.

Transcriptional Control

Differential initiation is a key aspect of transcriptional control.
Differential splicing results in different mRNA products from a single gene.

mRNA Degradation

Selective pre-mRNA degradation is another factor in controlling gene expression.

Translational Control

Selective translation is involved.
mRNA stability influences gene expression.

Post-Translational Modification

Modifications like deletion of peptide parts, changes in the state of oxidation/reduction, attachment of small molecules, and polymerization/combination with phosphate groups are all part of this process.

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Description

Explore the intricacies of developmental genetics in this comprehensive quiz. Focus on differential gene action, mechanisms in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and how genes control development. Test your understanding of gene regulation and cell differentiation concepts.