Sickle-Cell Disease and Genetics Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to sickle-cell disease and genetics, highlighting definitions and important concepts.

Sickle-Cell Disease

An inherited genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, leading to abnormal hemoglobin and sickle-shaped red blood cells.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen throughout the body.

Gene

A segment of DNA that contains the instructions for making a functional product, typically a protein or RNA.

Dominant Inheritance

A pattern of inheritance where one allele masks the expression of another allele.

Recessive Inheritance

A pattern of inheritance where a trait is expressed only when two recessive alleles are present.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces gametes, reducing the chromosome number by half.

Gene Therapy

A treatment that involves inserting genetic material into a patient's cells to correct or replace defective genes.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new strands of DNA during DNA replication.

Genome Editing

A technique that allows for the modification of an organism's DNA, including correcting mutations.

Transcription

The process by which the information in a gene is converted into messenger RNA for protein synthesis.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from messenger RNA sequences, using ribosomes and transfer RNA.

Codon

A sequence of three nucleotides on mRNA that corresponds to a specific amino acid.

Allele

A variant form of a gene that can result in different traits.

Chromosome

A structure composed of DNA and protein that contains genetic information.

Anemia

A condition characterized by a deficiency in red blood cells or hemoglobin, resulting in insufficient oxygen transport.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, producing millions of copies from a small initial sample.

Trait

A characteristic or feature of an organism that can be inherited.

Environmental Influence

Factors from the environment that can affect gene expression and trait development.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence that can potentially lead to abnormal traits or diseases.

In Vivo Gene Therapy

Gene therapy that is performed directly inside the patient's body.

Ex Vivo Gene Therapy

Gene therapy that is conducted outside the body, where cells are modified before being returned to the patient.