Molecular Mechanisms of Disease module 3

Flashcards based on key concepts in the Molecular Mechanisms of Disease lecture notes.

Cell Cycle

The series of phases through which a cell passes from one division to the next, including phases like G1, S, G2, and M.

Mitosis

The process of nuclear division in somatic cells that results in two genetically identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces haploid gametes from diploid cells, involving two rounds of division.

Mutation

An inherited alteration in genetic material, which can be spontaneous or induced by environmental factors.

Genetic Disease

A disease caused by variations in the genome of an individual, which can be inherited or acquired.

Frameshift Mutation

A mutation resulting from the addition or deletion of bases in DNA that alters downstream codons.

Epigenetics

The study of changes in gene expression that do not involve alterations to the underlying DNA sequence.

DNA Methylation

The addition of a methyl group to the cytosine base in DNA, often leading to gene transcriptional inactivity.

Cyclin

A regulatory protein whose levels fluctuate throughout the cell cycle, controlling progression through checkpoints.

p53

A tumor suppressor protein that regulates the cell cycle and helps prevent the development of tumors by inducing apoptosis in cells with damaged DNA.

Aneuploidy

An abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell, which includes conditions like trisomy (three copies of a chromosome) and monosomy (one copy).

Chromosomal Aberration

Any change in the normal structure or number of chromosomes, leading to genetic disorders.

Translocation

The interchange of genetic material between nonhomologous chromosomes, which can cause various genetic disorders.

Nondisjunction

The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate properly during meiosis or mitosis,

Telomere

The end of a chromosome that protects it from deterioration; cancer cells often maintain telomere length by activating telomerase.