Gene Expression Regulation
List the two types of DNA sequences and the two types of proteins that alter transcription.
DNA sequences: enhancer, insulator
Proteins: activator, repressor
_______ is defined as the influx of genes from other populations that prevents populations from becoming genetically distinct
Gene flow
What does epigenetics control?
When and where certain genes are expressed
Which ligation process is preferred in cloning?
Sticky end ligation
What does read depth mean?
The number of times a specific nucleotide in DNA is sequenced
How does acetylation of a histone protein affect transcription?
Activation of transcription
T or F: the smaller the mean # of offspring, the higher their selection coefficient
True
True or False: Epigenetic modifications change gene expression through modifications within an organism’s genetic sequence?
False
Name at least 2 characteristics of an ideal cloning vector.
autonomously replicate (has an origin of replication)
contains one or more selectable markers
has recognition sites for one or more restriction enzymes
is easy to release from host cells
What does 90% coverage mean?
90% of the genome has been sequenced at least once
List three of the six levels of gene regulation.
(1) DNA/chromatin structure alteration
(2) transcription regulation
(3) mRNA processing
(4) RNA stability
(5) translational regulation
(6) post-translational modification
Name the four evolutionary forces that cause changes in allelic frequency
1. mutation
2. migration
3. genetic drift
4. natural selection
This type of RNA lacks an open reading frame, therefore it cannot code for a protein. Name this RNA and the class it belongs to.
IncRNA, long ncRNA
Which part of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is genetically engineered and which is part of the target DNA? State their functions.
Engineered → sgRNA: determines binding site
Part of Target DNA → PAM: where Cas9 protein binds to unwind the target DNA
In which omics is DNA extracted directly from the environment?
Metagenomics
The addition of phosphate groups, carboxyl groups, methyl groups, or carbohydrates to a protein is an example of what level of gene regulation?
Post-translational modification
In a certain population, the heterozygote has lower fitness than either homozygote genotype. What type of dominance is this?
Underdominance
What region of the histone and and what nucleotide in DNA does methylation occur on?
histone tail, cytosine
A researcher is studying the main genes expressed in canine lymphoma. Which sequencing and blotting technique can be used in the research of this disease?
RNA sequencing, Northern blot
True or False: The tuberculosis vaccine is a type of attenuated vaccine that is made from killed bacteria samples.
False
What is the mechanism by which non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules guide the posttranscriptional silencing of mRNAs in a sequence-specific manner?
RNA interference
In a population with two alleles for a trait, what is the Hardy-Weinberg equation that describes the relationship between the frequencies of the possible genotypes?
p2+2pq+q2=1
What is the difference between direct and indirect epigenetic changes?
Direct = Epigenetic changes occur due to an animal’s own experiences
Indirect = Epigenetic changes occur due to animal’s parent’s experiences
Suppose you take bacterial cells with the LacZ gene and transform some of them with plasmids containing AmpR. The cells are plated on agar containing Amp and X-gal. You perform blue-white screening and observe only blue cells. Was the transformation successful and what caused this blue pigment?
No, unsuccessful. LacZ encodes beta-galactosidase which cleaves X-gal.
A researcher suspects a gene is involved in cancer development so they design a study to mutate the gene in mice using CRISPR and will document the effect on the mouse’s phenotype. What type of genetic study is this?
Reverse genetic study