Lecture Notes Review: Genetics and Gene Expression

A set of flashcards covering key concepts related to genetics, gene expression, and molecular biology, tailored for exam preparation.

Pedigree Analysis

A method for tracking inheritance patterns of traits in human families.

Autosomal Dominant Trait

A trait that expresses its phenotype even if only one copy of the allele is present.

Autosomal Recessive Trait

A trait that is expressed only when two copies of the allele are present.

X-linked Recessive Traits

Traits that are caused by mutations in genes located on the X chromosome.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA from the DNA template.

Translation

The process through which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA as a template.

Operon Model

A genetic regulatory system found in prokaryotes where a cluster of genes is controlled by a single promoter.

Gene Regulation

The mechanisms used by cells to increase or decrease the production of specific gene products (mRNA or proteins).

MicroRNA

Small non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by binding to mRNAs.

Transposable Elements

Segments of DNA that can move within the genome and affect gene function.

Epigenetics

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

Chromatin Structure

The arrangement of DNA and histone proteins that provides a structural framework for gene regulation.

Nondisjunction

An error during cell division where chromosomes do not separate properly, leading to an abnormal number of chromosomes.

Point Mutation

A mutation that affects a single nucleotide in the DNA sequence.

Insertion Mutation

A mutation involving the addition of one or more nucleotide base pairs into a DNA sequence.

Deletion Mutation

A mutation involving the removal of one or more nucleotide base pairs from a DNA sequence.

cDNA

Complementary DNA synthesized from an mRNA template, used in cloning and gene expression analysis.

Gene Cloning

The process of making copies of a particular gene or DNA segment.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique to amplify a specific DNA sequence, producing millions of copies.

Genetic Variation

Differences in DNA sequences among individuals, which can lead to different traits.

RNA Splicing

The process by which non-coding regions (introns) are removed from pre-mRNA and coding regions (exons) are joined together.