Gene Expression
What is gene expression?
The process of how nucleic acids turn into proteins, which are responsible for phenotypic traits.
Define what is a mutation?
A change in a cell's DNA sequence
Define biotechnology?
The use of living things/components to create a product or process.
What is the function of reproductive cloning?
To clone a whole organism by inserting the nucleus of somatic cell into an unfertilised egg cell
What are the 3 causes of evolution?
- genetic drift
- gene flow
- natural selection
What is the order of central dogma (flow of information) in gene expression?
DNA -> RNA -> proteins
What are the two causes of mutations?
1. Spontaneous (randomly occurring during DNA replication)
2. Mutagens
What is the function of PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?
To create billions of copies of DNA
What is the function of recombinant DNA technology?
To combine DNA from 2 different organisms and create a new sequence of DNA
What are some misconceptions of evolution? (must explain to get points)
- Humans are not evolved from chimpanzees; a common ancestor is shared.
- Darwin did not discover evolution; he was credited as one of the first to publish about natural selection as the mechanism of evolution.
- The theory of evolution does not explain the origin of life; it suggests how organism life has become diverse.
Which phase and subphase(s) does gene expression take place?
G1, G2 subphases of Interphase
What is an example of a mutagen?
- High radiation and some chemicals.
- UV radiation from tanning beds.
- X-rays.
- Tobacco.
- Et cetera.
What is the function of gel electrophoresis?
To analyse and compare DNA (creates a DNA ladder which measures size of DNA molecules)
What is the function of CRISPR?
RNA is used as molecular scissors to cut and edit DNA (gene editing)
What are the 6 pieces of evidence of evolution?
1. Artificial selection
2. Natural selection
3. Fossil record
4. Biogeography
5. Comparative anatomy
6. Molecular biology
transcription (DNA into mRNA) = nucleus
translation (mRNA into amino acid sequence) = ribosome site
What are 3 types of point mutations?
- Base substitution.
- Base insertion.
- Base deletion.
What enzyme is used in PCR?
DNA polymerase
According to the Pamela Ronald TED Talk, what are some advantages of genetically engineering food?
- Increase nutrition (added Vitamin A from daffodil gene into rice).
- Increase crop yield (SUB1 gene increased rice resistance to floods).
- Decrease exposure to pesticides (eggplant farmers in Bangladesh).
- Decrease virus infections (papaya resistance from small virus trace).
What is a weakness of the fossil record as an evidence of evolution?
The fossil record is not complete because specific conditions must be met, so some organisms (e.g. soft-bodied, was not at the right place or right time) could not be preserved/fossilised for better analysis.
What enzyme is important for gene expression?
RNA polymerase
All the amino acids change after the point of mutation. This describes what kind of point mutation impact?
frameshift
A timber company wants to test the diversity of tree species in a forest. What biotechnology should they use?
What biotechnology is used to create human insulin from E.coli bacteria?
recombinant DNA technology
What were Darwin's main observations?
- Organisms vary in many traits (genetic diversity already exists in a population)
- Organisms produce more offspring than the environment can support