Definitions
What is a gene?
A section of DNA that provides instructions for making a protein.
Where are chromosomes found?
Inside the nucleus of a cell.
What is a protein?
A molecule made from amino acids that performs a function in the body.
If the MSTN gene is mutated, then…?
Myostatin may not function properly, leading to larger muscles.
Why do some cattle have extra-big muscles?
They inherit two copies of a mutated MSTN gene, leading to reduced myostatin function.
What is a pedigree? How did we utilize this tool in class?
A model of biological relationships. We organized cattle family's by myostatin expression in class.
How many chromosomes do humans have?
46 (or 23 pairs).
What does myostatin do in muscle growth?
It regulates muscle growth by stopping muscles from growing too large.
True or False: The environment affects gene expression.
True. Traits may change depending on external factors (e.g., temperature affecting fur color).
How can scientists study genes using mice?
They alter specific genes in mice to observe how they affect proteins and traits.
What is a phenotype?
The physical trait that results from a genotype.
What do offspring inherit from parents?
One copy of each chromosome (and its genes) from each parent.
Actin and myosin allow the muscle tissue to contract and relax by sliding past each other.
If a protein is not made correctly, then…?
It may not perform its function properly, leading to changes in an organism's traits.
How do genetic mutations help or harm organisms?
Some mutations provide advantages (like disease resistance, or XL muscles), while others cause disorders.
What is a genotype?
The combination of alleles an organism has for a gene.
How do chromosomes determine traits?
They contain genes that provide instructions for making proteins, which influence traits.
What happens when myostatin does not function properly OR the myostatin typical gene is changed?
Muscles continue growing larger than normal, leading to a heavily muscled phenotype.
If chromosomes do not separate properly, then…?
It can result in genetic conditions or disorders due to missing or extra chromosomes.
How can understanding genetics help farmers raise better animals, like cattle?
Farmers can use genetics (selective breeding cattle with specific myostatin proteins/Xl muscle phenotypes) to breed animals with desirable traits, such as bigger cattle.
What is the MSTN gene?
A gene that provides instructions for making the myostatin protein, which regulates muscle growth.
What are "chromosomes" in the book analogy for genetics?
What is the relationship between genes, proteins, and traits?
Genes provide the instructions to make proteins, and proteins determine traits.
When parents pass their genes to their offspring, what determines the traits the offspring will have?
The combination of alleles inherited from both parents determines the offspring’s traits.
What are some ethical concerns in genetics research?
Issues include privacy, genetic discrimination, and the impact of genetic modifications.