Genetics Review Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts in genetics, including linkage, recombination, bacterial genetics, and operon function.

What is linkage in genetics?

Linkage is the likelihood of two genes to be inherited together due to their proximity on the same chromosome.

What happens when crossing over occurs between linked genes?

New genotypes and phenotypes arise, resulting in recombinant non-parental genotypes.

What is ubiquitin used for?

It is a tag that is added to a protein that needs to be degraded into amino acids

Who recognizes the ubiquitin?

Giant proteosomes, they degrade the protein

Define recombination frequency in genetics.

Recombination frequency refers to the likelihood of recombination occurring between genes during meiosis.

What is the difference between linked and non-linked genes regarding recombination?

Linked genes have a recombination frequency less than 50%, while non-linked genes have a recombination frequency that may equal 50%.

What are the three methods by which bacteria undergo genetic recombination?

The three methods are transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

What is the function of the lac operon in E. coli?

The lac operon enables E. coli to metabolize lactose, functioning as an inducible operon.

In the absence of tryptophan, what happens to the trp operon?

The repressor is off and genes are expressed, allowing the synthesis of tryptophan.

What do proximal control elements do in gene regulation?

Proximal control elements are located close to the promoter and help initiate transcription when activators bind.

Describe the role of microRNA in gene regulation.

MicroRNA can base pair with mRNA to prevent translation, thereby regulating gene expression at the post-transcription level.

What is histone acetylation and how does it affect transcription?

Histone acetylation controls the coiling of DNA, enabling transcription by making the DNA more accessible.

What is the function of ubiquitin in protein processing?

Ubiquitin tags proteins that need to be degraded to regulate protein levels and maintain cellular function.

What occurs during alternative RNA splicing?

Introns can be considered exons and vice versa, allowing for different mRNA variants from the same gene.

What do enhancers and activators do in gene transcription?

Enhancers increase transcription efficiency by binding activators, which help initiate the transcription process by looping the DNA.

What is the purpose of the trp operon?

The trp operon is a repressible operon that regulates the synthesis of tryptophan required for protein formation.

What is transformation in bacteria?

Transformation is the process by which bacteria take up foreign DNA from their environment and incorporate it into their own genomes.

What is conjugation in bacterial genetics?

Conjugation is the transfer of genetic material between bacteria through direct contact, typically involving a pilus.

What is transduction in bacteria?

Transduction is the process by which bacteriophages (viruses that infect bacteria) transfer genetic material from one bacterium to another.

What are the three methods by which bacteria undergo genetic recombination?

The three methods are transformation, transduction, and conjugation

What are 3 ways that the bacteria holds a gene?

Single circular chromosome, plasmids (self-replicating), and bacteriophages