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Questions and Answers
What are genetic disorders and how do they arise?
What are genetic disorders and how do they arise?
Genetic disorders are illnesses caused by abnormalities in the genome, arising from heritable mutations or new defects in DNA.
How does DNA relate to chromosomes?
How does DNA relate to chromosomes?
DNA is packaged into chromosomes, which are structures composed of DNA and associated proteins.
What percentage of the human genome is made up of genes?
What percentage of the human genome is made up of genes?
Genes form only about 1.5% of the human genome.
What role do exons and introns play in gene structure?
What role do exons and introns play in gene structure?
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Define genotype and phenotype.
Define genotype and phenotype.
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What does genetic heterogeneity mean?
What does genetic heterogeneity mean?
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What constitutes a mutation in genetic terms?
What constitutes a mutation in genetic terms?
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How does one type of cancer illustrate the complexity of genetic disorders?
How does one type of cancer illustrate the complexity of genetic disorders?
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What is a proto-oncogene and how can it become an oncogene?
What is a proto-oncogene and how can it become an oncogene?
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List at least two examples of proto-oncogenes.
List at least two examples of proto-oncogenes.
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What are the two mechanisms by which proto-oncogenes can convert into oncogenes?
What are the two mechanisms by which proto-oncogenes can convert into oncogenes?
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Explain the difference between a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation.
Explain the difference between a missense mutation and a nonsense mutation.
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How do recessive mutations in enzyme coding genes typically manifest?
How do recessive mutations in enzyme coding genes typically manifest?
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What type of mutation involves the gain of a single base pair?
What type of mutation involves the gain of a single base pair?
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Describe the structure and composition of human chromosomes.
Describe the structure and composition of human chromosomes.
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What does haploid mean in the context of human cells?
What does haploid mean in the context of human cells?
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What type of mutation leads to the substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the beta globin chain?
What type of mutation leads to the substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the beta globin chain?
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Explain the term 'dominant negative' effect in the context of autosomal dominant mutations.
Explain the term 'dominant negative' effect in the context of autosomal dominant mutations.
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What are some factors that influence the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus?
What are some factors that influence the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus?
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What significant discovery did James Watson and Francis Crick make in 1953?
What significant discovery did James Watson and Francis Crick make in 1953?
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What gene mutation is associated with Marfan syndrome?
What gene mutation is associated with Marfan syndrome?
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Describe the phenotypic effects seen in individuals with Marfan syndrome.
Describe the phenotypic effects seen in individuals with Marfan syndrome.
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What are restriction enzymes used for in molecular biology?
What are restriction enzymes used for in molecular biology?
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What did Phillip Sharp and Richard Roberts demonstrate about pre-mRNA?
What did Phillip Sharp and Richard Roberts demonstrate about pre-mRNA?
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How does X-inactivation affect the expression of X-linked recessive conditions in females?
How does X-inactivation affect the expression of X-linked recessive conditions in females?
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What role does factor VIII play in hemophilia A, and how does it impact disease severity?
What role does factor VIII play in hemophilia A, and how does it impact disease severity?
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What was announced in 1986 that significantly advanced genomic research?
What was announced in 1986 that significantly advanced genomic research?
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When was the first draft of the human genome sequence published?
When was the first draft of the human genome sequence published?
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What does reduced penetrance imply in genetic inheritance?
What does reduced penetrance imply in genetic inheritance?
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Define multifactorial inheritance in genetics.
Define multifactorial inheritance in genetics.
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What was completed in April 2003 as part of genomic research?
What was completed in April 2003 as part of genomic research?
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Who developed the automated sequencing mechanism in 1986?
Who developed the automated sequencing mechanism in 1986?
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What are the main types of chromosomal disorders, and how do they differ?
What are the main types of chromosomal disorders, and how do they differ?
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Define Down syndrome and explain its chromosomal basis.
Define Down syndrome and explain its chromosomal basis.
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What is the recurrence risk of autosomal recessive conditions, and why?
What is the recurrence risk of autosomal recessive conditions, and why?
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What is sickle cell anemia, and how is it related to mutations?
What is sickle cell anemia, and how is it related to mutations?
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What are some common chromosomal abnormalities associated with syndromes?
What are some common chromosomal abnormalities associated with syndromes?
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What are the characteristic features of Prader-Willi syndrome?
What are the characteristic features of Prader-Willi syndrome?
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How do Mendelian inheritance patterns manifest in chromosomal disorders?
How do Mendelian inheritance patterns manifest in chromosomal disorders?
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Explain what is meant by aneuploidy and give an example.
Explain what is meant by aneuploidy and give an example.
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What role do nucleic acid probes play in detecting pathogens like TB?
What role do nucleic acid probes play in detecting pathogens like TB?
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How are nucleic acid hybridization assays useful in diagnosing neoplastic conditions such as leukemia?
How are nucleic acid hybridization assays useful in diagnosing neoplastic conditions such as leukemia?
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What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in genetic diseases?
What is the significance of the Philadelphia chromosome in genetic diseases?
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What techniques are included in the realm of pathologists for genetic analysis?
What techniques are included in the realm of pathologists for genetic analysis?
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Describe one application of therapeutic cloning in gene therapy.
Describe one application of therapeutic cloning in gene therapy.
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What is gene splicing, and how is it utilized in biotechnology?
What is gene splicing, and how is it utilized in biotechnology?
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How is DNA analysis applied in forensics, particularly in paternity testing?
How is DNA analysis applied in forensics, particularly in paternity testing?
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What challenges do forensic scientists face when identifying decomposed remains?
What challenges do forensic scientists face when identifying decomposed remains?
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Study Notes
Genetic Basis of Disease and Disorders
- Genetic disorders are illnesses caused by abnormalities in the genome.
- Some are inherited from parents, while others are caused by new DNA mutations.
- Heritability depends on whether the mutation affects germ (sex) cells.
- Diseases like cancer may have inherited or non-genetic causes.
Chromosomes
- DNA is packaged into chromosomes along with proteins.
- Chromatin: DNA + associated proteins.
- Prokaryotes: have a single circular chromosome.
- Eukaryotes: have a species-specific number of linear chromosomes.
- Humans: have 23 pairs of chromosomes (22 autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes).
- Humans have 46 chromosomes (23 pairs).
- Haploid cells: have one set of chromosomes (gametes).
- Diploid cells: have two sets of chromosomes (most human cells).
DNA
- DNA is the "blueprint" for an organism.
- Composed of nucleotides with four bases (A, C, G, T).
- DNA is a polymer of nucleotides.
- DNA is considered digital information.
- A single strand of DNA is a string of A, C, G, T.
- Genes form 1.5% of the human genome.
- ~3.2 billion base pairs in every human cell.
- Gene: a segment of DNA encoding a protein.
Genes
- Genes are units of DNA coding for specific proteins.
- Consist of exons (protein-coding segments) and introns (non-coding segments).
- Introns are removed from mRNA before it leaves the nucleus.
- Locus: location of a gene on a chromosome.
Genotype and Phenotype
- Genotype: the combination of alleles present in an individual.
- Phenotype: the observable characteristics resulting from the expression of the genotype.
- Genetic heterogeneity: the same phenotype can arise from several different genotypes.
- Mutation: alteration from normal.
Proto-oncogenes
- Proto-oncogenes are normal genes that can become oncogenes (cancer-causing genes) due to mutations.
- Code for proteins regulating cell growth and differentiation.
- Often involved in signal transduction.
- Activation converts proto-oncogene to oncogene.
- Examples of proto-oncogenes include RAS, WNT, MYC, ERK, and TRK.
- Proto-oncogenes can be converted to oncogenes through quantitative or qualitative changes.
Mutations
- Mutations can affect autosomes or sex chromosomes.
- Effect of mutations depends on the function of the affected region of DNA.
- Mutation in an enzyme gene: appears as a recessive trait.
- The effect in the heterozygote, enough enzyme to function.
- Mutation in a structural protein gene: appears as a dominant trait.
Single Gene Mutations
- Missense: Change in a single amino acid.
- Nonsense: Change in a stop codon.
- Deletion: Loss of a base pair (frameshift).
- Insertion: Gain of a base pair (frameshift).
- Duplication: An extra gene (more protein production).
- Splice site: Abnormalities at the intron-exon boundary.
- Triple repeats: Increased tandem repeats.
Chromosomal Disorders
- DNA packaged into chromosomes.
- Humans have 23 pairs: 22 autosomes, 1 pair of sex chromosomes.
- Haploid: one set of chromosomes.
- Diploid: two sets of chromosomes.
- Numerical disorders: involve variations in the total number of chromosomes (euploid vs aneuploid).
- Structural disorders: involve changes in the structure of chromosomes.
- Common disorders: Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Fragile X syndrome.
Patterns of Inheritance
- Mendelian disorders typically involve whole chromosomes.
- Autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, X-linked recessive, X-linked dominant.
Autosomal Recessive
- Mutation in gene coding for an enzyme, resulting in loss of function.
- Heterozygotes often have enough gene product to function.
- Homozygotes typically have too little gene product.
- Recurrence risk = 25%.
- Sickle cell anemia: a prominent example.
Autosomal Dominant
- Mutation involving a structural gene generally results in a dominant negative effect.
- The product may interfere with the complex protein functions.
- May lead to abnormal features.
- Marfan syndrome: an example.
X-linked Recessive
- Females are typically carriers, owing to X inactivation.
- Males are more likely to show the phenotype.
- Hemophilia A: an example.
X-linked Dominant
- Theoretically, both males and females would be affected.
- A "double dose" of abnormal gene product can be lethal in utero.
Penetrance and Variable Expression
- Penetrance: the percentage of individuals with a particular genotype who express the associated phenotype.
- Reduced penetrance means no phenotype in some who carry the gene.
- Variable expression: severity of the phenotype is variable.
Multifactorial Inheritance
- Multiple genes and environmental factors interact to produce a phenotype.
- Recurrence risk above average, but not precisely calculable.
- Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: an example.
Major Events in Molecular Biology
- Key dates and discoveries in the field, including the structure of DNA, discovery of restriction enzymes, and the Human Genome Project.
Clinical Applications
- Use of genetic information in disease diagnosis, treatment.
- Identifying pathogens and cancers.
- DNA testing for various purposes.
Gene Therapy
- Cloning technologies (reproductive, DNA, therapeutic).
- Gene splicing and silencing.
Forensics
- DNA testing in criminal investigations (paternity testing, crime scene evidence).
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Description
Test your knowledge on genetic disorders, DNA, and chromosomes with this comprehensive quiz. Explore key concepts including mutations, gene structure, and the roles of proto-oncogenes in cancer. Challenge yourself to understand the complexities of genetics today!