Molecular Biology & Diagnostics Quiz

Molecular Biology Concepts

• Agarose: Gel-forming polysaccharide from seaweed, used in gel electrophoresis for separating DNA fragments.
• Allele: Different forms of a gene located at a specific locus; essential in genetics for understanding variations.
• Heterozygous vs. Homozygous: Heterozygous individuals carry two different alleles; homozygous individuals have identical alleles.

Genetic Structure and Processes

• Cell Nucleus: Contains genetic material; essential for cellular function and heredity.
• Codon: Triplet of nucleotide bases in mRNA that specify amino acids during protein synthesis.
• Diploid vs. Haploid: Diploid cells have two sets of chromosomes; haploid cells, such as gametes, have one set.

Gene Function and Regulation

• Epigenetics: Focuses on gene regulation changes that aren't linked to the DNA sequence; impacts gene expression.
• Exon vs. Intron: Exons are coding regions that express genetic information, while introns are non-coding sequences that interrupt exons.
• Gene Expression: The process leading to protein synthesis, tightly regulated to maintain cell function.

Genetic Terminology

• Genetic Code: System of nucleotide combinations encoding for amino acids; foundational for protein synthesis.
• Genome: Complete set of an organism’s DNA, including all of its genes.
• Genotype vs. Phenotype: Genotype is the set of alleles present, while phenotype represents observable traits resulting from gene expression.

Genetic Relationships

• Dominant vs. Recessive Genes: Dominant genes express traits over recessive ones; a recessive trait is masked in presence of a dominant allele.
• Haplotype: Specific combination of alleles present on one chromosome; useful in population genetics and inheritance studies.

Molecular Techniques

• Ligation: Joins DNA molecule ends via phosphodiester bonds, crucial in recombinant DNA technology.
• Linkage Disequilibrium: When alleles at different loci are inherited together more frequently than expected by chance over generations.
• Molecular Diagnostics: Utilizes nucleic acids to diagnose diseases caused by infections or genetic mutations.

Genetic Changes and Variation

• Mutations: Alterations in DNA sequence that can lead to genetic diversity or disease.
• Penetrance: Likelihood of a genotype translating into an observable phenotype; varies among individuals.
• Polymorphism: Variability in DNA sequences that can contribute to differences between individuals.

Proteins and Proteomics

• Proteins: Composed of amino acids; fundamental to cell structure and function.
• Proteomics: Study of the complete set of proteins expressed in a cell or organism, providing insights into function and regulation.

DNA Fragment Analysis

• RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism): Variation in DNA fragments length generated by restriction enzyme digestion; used in genetic mapping.
• Short Tandem Repeats (STR): Repetitive DNA sequences used for DNA profiling; critical for forensic analysis and paternity testing.

Forensics and Paternity

• Procedure in DNA Profiling: Involves DNA sample collection, PCR amplification, digestion with restriction enzymes, and separation by gel electrophoresis to analyze unique DNA profiles.
• Forensic Investigations: Requires complete DNA match with crime scene samples for conviction.
• Paternity Testing: Analyzes inherited DNA segments to establish familial relationships, with children receiving half their DNA from each parent.

Test your knowledge on key concepts in molecular biology and diagnostics. This quiz covers important terms such as agarose, alleles, and the structure of the cell nucleus. Evaluate your understanding of genetic information and molecular mechanisms.