Population Genetics
What is the term for all possible alleles within a population of organisms?
Gene Pool
Provide an example of a gene level mutation
Point mutation, addition, deletion
How is a tumor produced?
When a mutated cell begins to divide uncontrollably
What is a genome?
The whole genetic makeup of an organism, the full set of genetic information an organism has
How is recombinant DNA made?
Smaller pieces of DNA are "cut out" and then joined together to form a sequence of customized DNA, often in the form of a plasmid
What is lateral gene transfer?
The process by which bacterial cells exchange genes through plasmids
Which would have a greater impact on organisms:
A mutation in the DNA of a somatic cell
A mutation in the DNA of a germ cell
A mutation in the DNA of a germ cell
This would go on to affect the next generation, and it can affect every cell of an organism
What are the two different kinds of tumors that can result from rapidly dividing cells?
Benign and malignant
What percentage of the human genome contains information for either making proteins or controlling genes that make proteins?
a. 82%
b. 90%
c. 25%
d. 2%
c. 25%
What is the term for an organism that contains genes from another organism?
A transgenic organism, which is a type of GMO
What does genetic equilibrium refer to?
The status of most allele frequencies remaining stable within a large population
Why are frameshift mutations so detrimental?
They have the potential to change many codons in the gene sequence, greatly changing the end protein
What is a carcinogen?
A mutagen or agent that causes mutations in DNA that result in cancer
In order to read or sequence DNA, first the DNA must be cut into smaller pieces using _______________.
Restriction enzyme
How is gene therapy delivered to an organism?
The recombinant DNA is placed in a vector (usually bacteria or a virus), and then given to the patient. The vector will then deliver the recombinant DNA to the cells when it "infects" that cell
What is the difference between gene flow and genetic drift?
Gene flow - natural ebb and flow of allele frequencies and genetic material within a population
Genetic drift - a change in allele frequencies due to random events
Which error results in an organism with missing or extra chromosomes?
Nondisjunction during Meiosis
Surgery to remove the tumor, radiation, chemotherapy, and/or targeted gene therapy
What is the purpose of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) in genomics?
PCR is the process of making multiple copies of the genetic material being studied. This allows for enough material to study/sequence/manipulate
In gel electrophoresis, shorter fragments of DNA travel _______ than longer fragments.
a. further
b. less
Further than. The longer fragments are larger molecules that cannot get through the structure of the gel as easily as the small fragments
What is the difference between the founder effect and the bottleneck effect?
Founder - small population migrates to a new place and starts a new population with changed allele frequencies
Bottleneck - when a significant portion of the population is removed from the gene pool by death or other chance event
Why might polyploidy be beneficial to humans?
Polyploidy in plants allows for production of high yielding crops
What does it mean for a tumor to have "metastasized"?
When the cells of a malignant tumor begin to spread to other parts of the body
DNA is cut into fragments, then an automated instrument will determine the sequence of those fragments. Computer programs are used to "align" those fragments to determine the overall sequence of the DNA strand.
How does a DNA fingerprint work?
DNA fragments are used to identify individuals, typically using gel electrophoresis. In modern days, gene sequencing may also be used.