Genetics Bircher Final Vocab

bio2200 Mizzou Birchler

transposable elements

segments of DNA that can move from one piece in the genome to another

transposase

name of the enzyme encoded by the Activator transposable element that is required for the element to be excised from one location in the genome and insert elsewhere

direct repeat

what is left behind when the transposable element Activator transposes to a new site in the genome

terminal inverted repeats

type of terminal repeat on activator and the p element

retrotransposons

type of transposable element that has an RNA intermediate

retroviruses

single stranded RNA that are replicated via a double stranded DNA intermediate; can integrate into host chromosomal DNA called a provirus; bound by long terminal repeats(LTR); not invert- ed; usually contain 3 genes: gag, pol, env

reverse transcriptase

the enzyme encoded in retroviruses and retrotransposons that converts RNA into DNA

long terminal repeats (LTR)

the term for the ends of retrotransposons and retroviruses

homomorphic sex chromosomes

type of sex chromosomes that are not cytologically distinct

heteromorphic sex chromosomes

type of sex chromosomes that are cytologically distinct from each other

gynandromorph

an individual organism that is part male and female

dosage compensation

the process by which sex chromosomes of different doses produce the same amount of gene products

pseudoautosomal region

name of region shared between the X and Y chromosome of mammals

testis determining factor (TDF)

the gene on the Y chromosome that causes male development

lyon hypothesis

the name of the hypothesis that one of the two chromosomes in mammals is activated

fragile X syndrome

the most common inherited form of mental retardation, which is caused by a failure of an inactive X chromosome to become a fully reactivated during oogenesis

turners syndrome

X; human syndrome resulting from only a single X chromosome present (also referred to as XO)

helix-hoop-helix

transcription factor; three helices; two thought to provide a surface for protien-protien interactions, other DNA binding domain.

Klinefelter’s syndrome

(XXY) human syndrome resulting from an XXY genotype

TATA box

site slightly upstream of eukaryotic genes that is a main anchor for factors involved with gene expression

CAAT box

influences promoter activity. Usually occurs about 80 base pairs before the start of transcription

enhancer

regulatory DNA element that causes the adjacent gene to increase expression; it works in either orientation.

silencer

bound by repressors; cis-acting

zinc finger

type of transcription factor in which a stretch of animo acids surrounds a zinc molecule

leucine zipper

type of transcription factors which repeating leucines form an interaction domain

pattern formation

the establishment of the adult body plan

totipotent

term applied to cells capable of giving rise to a completely developed organism

mosaic development

development type in which destruction of an embryonic cells leads to missing adult tissues

regulative development

development type in which destruction of an embryonic cell has no effect on the adult

morphogenetic gradient

bicoid and nanos form to initiate the morphology of a fly in embryo

homeotic genes

genes that determine basic features of where a body part is

inductive interaction

developmental process in which one tissue has an effect on the differentiation of another

Ti plasmid

the name of the vector for plant transformation via Agrobacterium

biolistic gun

apparatus used to transform organisms by coating gold particles with DNA and firing them into cells

retroviral factor

modified retrovirus insetted into DNA which carries the normal enzyme

CRISPR-Cas9

gene editing technique, enzyme cuts double stranded DNA using an RNA guide to direct

M phase

the designation of the cell cycle when chromosomes separate to daughter cells

G1

symbol for the stage of the cell cycle just preceding the stage in which DNA replicates

S

symbol for the cell cycle stage during which replication occurs

G2 phase

Gap 2 between replication and the beginning of mitosis (post synthesis gap)

cyclins

protein that determines the progression from one step in cell cycle to the next

cyclin dependent protein kinases

proteins that activate genes for specific parts of the cell cycle and trigger the next stage by adding phosphate as an activation signal.

oncogenes

type of cancer producing gene that acts as a dominant and that is a gain of function mutation

tumor suppressor genes

type of cancer producing gene that acts as a recessive and requires both copies to be nonfunctional for cancer to develop

polyA tail

post transcriptional additional to messenger RNA at the 3’ end

G cap

posttranscriptional addition to messenger RNA’s at the 5’ end

BAC

cloning vector derived from the F plasmid and useful for large DNA fragments

cDNA

copy DNA

bioinformatics

the field of study involved with analysis of DNA sequences from gene structure predictions

RNA-Seq

gene expression quantified by isolating messenger RNA and converting it to cDNAs; determine the relative amount of mRNA in RNA sample

apoptosis

the phenomenon that triggers the death of defective cells

Hox genes

genes involved with segment identity in animals

siRNA

produced from circumstances in the cell that produce double stranded RNA; target TE’s to silence them

miRNA

encoded in the genome of many eukaryotes; can pair with mes- senger RNAs with which they have similar but not perfect homol- ogy to modulate the amount of translation of encoded proteins ; mechanism to modulate the quantity of a transcription factor