Podcast
Questions and Answers
The human body contains ______ cells.
The human body contains ______ cells.
100 trillion
The copying of DNA is known as _______.
The copying of DNA is known as _______.
Replication
Making DNA from RNA is known as ________.
Making DNA from RNA is known as ________.
Transcription
Making proteins from RNA is known as ________.
Making proteins from RNA is known as ________.
Almost everything in the body is made of ________ or made by them.
Almost everything in the body is made of ________ or made by them.
_____________ are mistakes when genes are replicated.
_____________ are mistakes when genes are replicated.
What chemical links the worlds of DNA and protein?
What chemical links the worlds of DNA and protein?
Which came first, DNA or RNA?
Which came first, DNA or RNA?
Who was the first creature to have its genetic recipe made of DNA?
Who was the first creature to have its genetic recipe made of DNA?
The genetic code is the same in every creature except in some _____________.
The genetic code is the same in every creature except in some _____________.
Prior to 1955, scientists believed humans had how many nuclear chromosomes?
Prior to 1955, scientists believed humans had how many nuclear chromosomes?
Humans normally have how many nuclear chromosomes?
Humans normally have how many nuclear chromosomes?
Which ape is closest to humans genetically?
Which ape is closest to humans genetically?
What is the process by which genes change their sequence?
What is the process by which genes change their sequence?
Genes are recipes for anatomy, but they can also be recipes for ______________.
Genes are recipes for anatomy, but they can also be recipes for ______________.
Francis Crick in 1953 jumped up in Eagle Pub and shouted 'We have discovered the secret of __________'.
Francis Crick in 1953 jumped up in Eagle Pub and shouted 'We have discovered the secret of __________'.
Who was the father of genetics who was never recognized in his timeline?
Who was the father of genetics who was never recognized in his timeline?
Which scientist won the Nobel Prize for discovering that genes are artificially mutable?
Which scientist won the Nobel Prize for discovering that genes are artificially mutable?
Sufferers have a ____________, not a gene.
Sufferers have a ____________, not a gene.
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a gene in chromosome 4 that codes for what repeat?
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a gene in chromosome 4 that codes for what repeat?
What year did they finally discover the gene for Huntington's disease?
What year did they finally discover the gene for Huntington's disease?
Huntington's disease causes the death of the cells in the __________________.
Huntington's disease causes the death of the cells in the __________________.
Only ___________ percent of people who may have inherited HD choose to take a test to tell them if they have the disease.
Only ___________ percent of people who may have inherited HD choose to take a test to tell them if they have the disease.
Nancy Wexler helped find the gene involved in HD, a disease her mother had. Does Nancy herself have the HD form of that gene?
Nancy Wexler helped find the gene involved in HD, a disease her mother had. Does Nancy herself have the HD form of that gene?
Are genetic characteristics usually determined by a single gene?
Are genetic characteristics usually determined by a single gene?
Single genes influencing multiple phenotypic traits is known as _____________.
Single genes influencing multiple phenotypic traits is known as _____________.
List 4 hypotheses of how/why asthma is so prevalent today.
List 4 hypotheses of how/why asthma is so prevalent today.
In 1997, ____________ claimed to have discovered a gene for intelligence.
In 1997, ____________ claimed to have discovered a gene for intelligence.
Who came up with the theory of multiple intelligences that recognize each talent as a separate ability?
Who came up with the theory of multiple intelligences that recognize each talent as a separate ability?
IQ tests and schools concentrate on _________ problems.
IQ tests and schools concentrate on _________ problems.
Which has the greatest influence on our intelligence?
Which has the greatest influence on our intelligence?
The Flynn effect says IQ is ____________ in all countries, all the time.
The Flynn effect says IQ is ____________ in all countries, all the time.
According to human Ridley, is human language inherited?
According to human Ridley, is human language inherited?
In the use of grammar, or language rules, something we begin applying early or late in our experience with language (as individuals)?
In the use of grammar, or language rules, something we begin applying early or late in our experience with language (as individuals)?
Does the language instinct stay on forever?
Does the language instinct stay on forever?
Which region of the brain malfunctions in dyslexia?
Which region of the brain malfunctions in dyslexia?
What does evolutionary psychology study?
What does evolutionary psychology study?
Do all vertebrates determine the sex of their offspring by the inheritance of the Y chromosome?
Do all vertebrates determine the sex of their offspring by the inheritance of the Y chromosome?
Do X and Y chromosomes usually swap genes during cell division, as do other chromosome pairs in the nucleus?
Do X and Y chromosomes usually swap genes during cell division, as do other chromosome pairs in the nucleus?
Why do recessive 'X-linked' genetic characteristics show up more often in men than women?
Why do recessive 'X-linked' genetic characteristics show up more often in men than women?
How is sex determined in reptiles?
How is sex determined in reptiles?
What are DAX and SRY genes? Why does Ridley call them 'antagonists'?
What are DAX and SRY genes? Why does Ridley call them 'antagonists'?
The gene Xq28 is famous for its possible association with what human characteristic?
The gene Xq28 is famous for its possible association with what human characteristic?
Why does Ridley discuss the X and Y chromosomes between the discussions of Chromosomes 7 and 8 - why not just wait until the end?
Why does Ridley discuss the X and Y chromosomes between the discussions of Chromosomes 7 and 8 - why not just wait until the end?
What percentage of the human genome is made up of true genes?
What percentage of the human genome is made up of true genes?
Of what importance is the human gene that encodes for reverse transcriptase?
Of what importance is the human gene that encodes for reverse transcriptase?
What are pseudogenes?
What are pseudogenes?
Who discovered 'jumping genes'?
Who discovered 'jumping genes'?
What controls gene expression but may be present to suppress transposons?
What controls gene expression but may be present to suppress transposons?
Who was the first man convicted of a crime that involved using DNA fingerprinting?
Who was the first man convicted of a crime that involved using DNA fingerprinting?
What blood type is the universal donor?
What blood type is the universal donor?
O is the _____ form of the gene for blood.
O is the _____ form of the gene for blood.
The difference between the A gene and the B gene is really just _____ letters out of 1062.
The difference between the A gene and the B gene is really just _____ letters out of 1062.
The O gene is a result of a _____.
The O gene is a result of a _____.
Who suspected that the frequency of sickle-cell anemia in Africa might be connected to the prevalence of malaria?
Who suspected that the frequency of sickle-cell anemia in Africa might be connected to the prevalence of malaria?
The reason behind genetic variation seems to have something to do with disease. Which gene mutation is NOT paired with the disease it confers resistance to?
The reason behind genetic variation seems to have something to do with disease. Which gene mutation is NOT paired with the disease it confers resistance to?
Is there truly a human genome?
Is there truly a human genome?
Progesterone, Aldosterone, cortisol, testosterone and oestradiol are five chemicals made by our bodies that are known as _____.
Progesterone, Aldosterone, cortisol, testosterone and oestradiol are five chemicals made by our bodies that are known as _____.
Which hormone is virtually synonymous with stress?
Which hormone is virtually synonymous with stress?
Which system is surprisingly affected by the chemical synonymous with stress?
Which system is surprisingly affected by the chemical synonymous with stress?
The main purpose of most genes in the human genome is _____ the expression of other genes in the genome.
The main purpose of most genes in the human genome is _____ the expression of other genes in the genome.
Who is in charge - brain, body or genome?
Who is in charge - brain, body or genome?
The likelihood of a heart attack is best predicted by _____, according to a massive long-term study of civil servants.
The likelihood of a heart attack is best predicted by _____, according to a massive long-term study of civil servants.
Who is more susceptible to disease - males or females?
Who is more susceptible to disease - males or females?
What disease is the extreme form of a shortage of dopamine?
What disease is the extreme form of a shortage of dopamine?
How many genes does Hamer estimate to be in tune with personality?
How many genes does Hamer estimate to be in tune with personality?
Kagan found that a high metabolic rate often corresponds to a(n) _____ personality.
Kagan found that a high metabolic rate often corresponds to a(n) _____ personality.
The drug prozac is given to reduce the symptoms of depression by affecting the _____ system.
The drug prozac is given to reduce the symptoms of depression by affecting the _____ system.
Impulsive, antisocial and depressed people - including prisoners, violent offenders and failed suicides - have generally _____ cholesterol levels which lead to low levels of serotonin.
Impulsive, antisocial and depressed people - including prisoners, violent offenders and failed suicides - have generally _____ cholesterol levels which lead to low levels of serotonin.
The theory of _____ was based on the idea that within the human sperm was a miniature homunculus man.
The theory of _____ was based on the idea that within the human sperm was a miniature homunculus man.
A _____ gene controls the process of knowing where you are and what to do in a developing embryo.
A _____ gene controls the process of knowing where you are and what to do in a developing embryo.
Which of the following is NOT a developmental gene described by Nusslein Volhard and Wieschaus?
Which of the following is NOT a developmental gene described by Nusslein Volhard and Wieschaus?
The _____ is a sequence of 180 letters at the beginning of all homeotic genes which is responsible for making the protein that allows it to attach to DNA and 'switch if on or off.'
The _____ is a sequence of 180 letters at the beginning of all homeotic genes which is responsible for making the protein that allows it to attach to DNA and 'switch if on or off.'
The homeotic gene for making a fly, a mouse and a human are surprisingly _____.
The homeotic gene for making a fly, a mouse and a human are surprisingly _____.
Arthropods and vertebrates are _____ versions of each other.
Arthropods and vertebrates are _____ versions of each other.
Getting normal fly development while knocking out fly developmental genes and replacing them with human developmental genes is known as _____ _____.
Getting normal fly development while knocking out fly developmental genes and replacing them with human developmental genes is known as _____ _____.
Cavalli-Sforza found a genetic gradient that spread towards the _____ across Europe coincided with languages.
Cavalli-Sforza found a genetic gradient that spread towards the _____ across Europe coincided with languages.
Which disease has the Committee for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases virtually eliminated from the Jewish population in the United States through a controversial 'eugenic' program?
Which disease has the Committee for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases virtually eliminated from the Jewish population in the United States through a controversial 'eugenic' program?
Is the ability to drink milk and the ability to 'hold the drink' (alcohol) genetically based?
Is the ability to drink milk and the ability to 'hold the drink' (alcohol) genetically based?
What enzyme, encoded by the TEP1 gene on chromosome 14, is needed to prevent senescence (aging) in cells?
What enzyme, encoded by the TEP1 gene on chromosome 14, is needed to prevent senescence (aging) in cells?
Which group of organisms has a slightly different repeated telomeric phrase compared to the other organisms?
Which group of organisms has a slightly different repeated telomeric phrase compared to the other organisms?
Do most scientists now believe the amount of telomeric DNA, leading to senescent cells, is the chief cause of aging?
Do most scientists now believe the amount of telomeric DNA, leading to senescent cells, is the chief cause of aging?
Who is the original owner of immortal cells now used by scientists?
Who is the original owner of immortal cells now used by scientists?
What is the quintessential disease of aging?
What is the quintessential disease of aging?
A gene remembering which parent it came from is known as _____.
A gene remembering which parent it came from is known as _____.
Is it the maternal or paternal gene that stimulates development of the placenta?
Is it the maternal or paternal gene that stimulates development of the placenta?
Is it the maternal or paternal gene that stimulates development of the cerebral cortex?
Is it the maternal or paternal gene that stimulates development of the cerebral cortex?
Which parent is most likely responsible for an offspring's genes for mood?
Which parent is most likely responsible for an offspring's genes for mood?
Do gender roles have an innate, genetic basis?
Do gender roles have an innate, genetic basis?
Are most human behaviors inherited or learned?
Are most human behaviors inherited or learned?
What is the junction between nerve cells?
What is the junction between nerve cells?
Animals without the CREB protein cannot do what?
Animals without the CREB protein cannot do what?
Does memory consist of the tightening of the connections between neurons?
Does memory consist of the tightening of the connections between neurons?
The most vital structure of memory in humans is the _____.
The most vital structure of memory in humans is the _____.
Do we need to lose brain cells?
Do we need to lose brain cells?
Cells that commit 'mutiny' and don't cease dividing are called _____.
Cells that commit 'mutiny' and don't cease dividing are called _____.
Chemicals and radiation cause cancer by _____.
Chemicals and radiation cause cancer by _____.
Which genes can cause cancer?
Which genes can cause cancer?
Which protein is called the 'guardian angel of the genome?'
Which protein is called the 'guardian angel of the genome?'
People born with one faulty TP53 gene out of two have a _____% chance of getting cancer.
People born with one faulty TP53 gene out of two have a _____% chance of getting cancer.
Study Notes
Introduction to Genetics
- The human body contains approximately 100 trillion cells.
- DNA copying, known as replication, is a crucial biological process.
- Transcription refers to the formation of DNA from RNA, while translation is the conversion of RNA into proteins.
- Proteins constitute the building blocks of the body and are integral to cellular function.
- Mutations are errors that occur during gene replication.
RNA and Early Life
- RNA serves as the chemical linking DNA and proteins.
- RNA predates DNA in the evolutionary timeline.
- Luca, the Last Universal Common Ancestor, marks the first life form with a DNA genetic recipe.
- The genetic code is consistent across most organisms but varies in some ciliate protozoa.
Chromosomes and Genetics
- Prior to 1955, it was believed humans had 24 pairs of nuclear chromosomes, corrected to 23 pairs.
- Chimpanzees are the closest genetic relatives to humans.
- Natural selection is the mechanism by which gene sequences change.
- Genes influence both physical traits and behaviors.
Key Genetic Discoveries
- Francis Crick announced the discovery of the secret of life in 1953.
- Gregor Mendel is regarded as the father of genetics but did not receive recognition during his lifetime.
- Hermann Joseph Muller was awarded a Nobel Prize for demonstrating that genes can be made mutable.
Huntington's Disease
- Huntington's disease results from mutations rather than directly inherited genes.
- The disease is linked to the CAG repeat in a gene located on chromosome 4, discovered in 1993.
- Huntington's disease causes neurodegeneration, specifically affecting brain cells.
- Only 20% of individuals at risk for HD choose to undergo genetic testing for the disease.
Complexity of Genetics
- Genetic traits are generally not determined by a single gene; instead, mechanisms like pleiotropy influence multiple traits.
- Factors contributing to asthma prevalence include environmental changes and hygiene practices.
- In 1997, Robert Plomin claimed to find a gene influencing intelligence, while Howard Gardner proposed the theory of multiple intelligences.
Language and Behavior
- Human language capacity is inherited, with grammar rules typically acquired early in development.
- Dyslexia is associated with malfunctions in the insula part of the brain.
- Evolutionary psychology studies the relationship between human behavior and evolutionary processes.
Sex Determination
- Not all vertebrates determine sex through the Y chromosome; other mechanisms exist.
- X and Y chromosomes do not typically swap genes during cell division like other chromosome pairs.
- Men are more prone to exhibit recessive X-linked traits due to having only one X chromosome.
- In reptiles, sex is determined genetically, differing from environmental influences.
Genetic Expression and Aging
- Telomerase, encoded by the TEP1 gene, is crucial for preventing cellular aging.
- Henrietta Lacks is known for the immortal cell line derived from her cancer cells, widely used in research.
- Cancer is considered a predominant disease of aging.
Genetic Inheritance
- Imprinting affects gene function based on parental origin, influencing traits such as placenta development.
- Gender roles have a genetic basis, indicating an innate influence on behavior.
Memory and Cancer
- Memory formation involves synapses and the CREB protein, essential for long-term retention.
- Cancer cells arise from mutations that enable unchecked cell division, often triggered by DNA damage from chemicals or radiation.
- The src genes can induce cancer, while the p53 protein acts as a tumor suppressor, critical in maintaining genomic integrity.
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Description
Explore the fascinating world of genetics with this quiz. Test your knowledge on DNA replication, RNA's role in early life, and the structure of chromosomes. Understand key concepts such as transcription, translation, and natural selection.
