Molecular Biology: Gene Markers in Conservation

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Questions and Answers

What type of gene is trnL (intron) in cpDNA?

Transfer RNA gene

What is the function of the rbcL gene in plants?

Encodes the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco)

What is the universal applicability of matK primers?

For DNA barcoding of angiosperms

Why is trnL (intron) widely used as a gene marker for phylogenetic analysis in plants?

Most widely used chloroplast marker for phylogenetic analysis Signup and view all the answers

How does the matK gene function in vivo?

Protein that splices Group II introns Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of studying trnL (intron) in different orders of flowering plants?

Provides information on evolution in different orders of flowering plants Signup and view all the answers

Why is rbcL gene contrasting with other plants important in phylogenetics?

Can be contrasted with the rbcL genes of other plants to determine genetic variation Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of studying gene expression and regulation in chloroplast DNA?

Essential for understanding photosynthesis and plant evolution Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a func5onal gene and non-coding DNA?

Functional gene provides instructions for making proteins, while non-coding DNA does not. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a mutation event?

An alteration in the nucleo5de sequence of the genome of an organism due to mistakes or environmental factors. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for diﬀerences in DNA between individuals?

Gene5c Varia5on Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of nuclear marker or organelle marker in molecular biology?

To identify and study specific genes or genomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of ribosomes in gene expression?

Ribosomes translate RNA into protein. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between ITS, 16s, and rbcL gene markers?

They are specific regions of DNA used as markers for different organisms or purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of DNA replication in cells?

To make an exact copy of the DNA for cell division. Signup and view all the answers

What is the outcome of translating RNA into protein?

The production of proteins that can be used as catalysts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of genetic markers in molecular biology?

to locate other genes in a genome Signup and view all the answers

What type of DNA marker is inherited uniparentally and is effectively haploid?

mtDNA and cpDNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between nuclear DNA (nrDNA) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)?

nrDNA is encoded for the genetic information required by the entire cell, while mtDNA is encoded for the genetic information required by the mitochondria Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of PCR primers in molecular biology?

to amplify specific DNA sequences Signup and view all the answers

What type of DNA marker is used for population-level research questions?

nrDNA, mtDNA, and cpDNA Signup and view all the answers

What is the mode of inheritance for nuclear DNA (nrDNA)?

recombination and diploid Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using mtDNA or cpDNA markers in conservation biology?

they are uniparentally inherited and effectively haploid, making them useful for tracking maternal lineages Signup and view all the answers

What is the main application of genetic markers in conservation biology?

to identify and locate specific genes in a genome for conservation purposes Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Gene$c Markers

A gene or short sequence of DNA used to locate other genes in a genome
Types of markers: Nuclear DNA (nrDNA), Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), Chloroplast DNA (cpDNA)

Characteristics of Markers

mtDNA: uniparental, effectively haploid, and encoded for generic information required by mitochondria
cpDNA: uniparental, effectively haploid, and encoded for generic information required by chloroplasts
nrDNA: recombination, diploid, and encoded for genetic information required by the entire cell

Research Questions

Population-level
Species-level
Higher-level systematic

Cell Molecular Biology

All cells store hereditary information in DNA
All cells replicate their DNA, transcribe portion of their DNA into RNA, and translate RNA into protein
Protein functions as catalysts
A gene is a fragment of DNA corresponding to one protein

Mutation and Genetic Variation

Mutation: alteration in the nucleotide sequence of an organism's genome due to mistakes during DNA copying or environmental factors
Genetic Variation: differences in DNA between individuals, making them distinct
Non-coding DNA: does not provide instructions for making proteins (e.g. satellite DNA, telomeres, introns)
Coding DNA: contains information for making proteins

Gene Functions

trnL-F gene: provides information on structures, functions, and evolution in different orders of flowering plants
rbcL gene: encodes the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco)
matK gene: provides information on structures, functions, and evolution in different orders of flowering plants
trnL gene: provides information on structures, functions, and evolution in different orders of flowering plants

Applications in Phylogeny

rbcL and matK genes can be contrasted to determine genetic differences between plants
matK primers can be used for DNA barcoding of angiosperms
trnL-F and rbcL genes are widely used as chloroplast markers for phylogenetic analysis in plants

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Description

This quiz covers gene markers, including PCR primers, and their use in locating genes in a genome, focusing on nuclear, mitochondrial, and chloroplast DNA.