Topic 3.1: Genes

define genes

define genes

a gene is a portion/sequence of DNA that influences a specific characteristic of an organism

• genes can be inherited

• there exists 1000s of genes in one chromosome

where are genes located?

in their respective loci (singular: locus)

• locus = specific place in gene

define alleles

alleles:

• alternative forms of a gene

• codes for different variations of a specific trait

• e.g: gene for eye colour, allele for brown eyes

alleles occupy the same locus, only one allele can occupy a locus

how do alleles differ from one another

they differ by one to couple different bases:

• if they differ by one base, it is called single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

  • sickle cell anemia is caused by SNP (CTC → CAC)

• if it differs by more than one base, it is called an allelic difference

how are alleles formed?

by mutation - random changes:

• mutation can be neutral, beneficial, or detrimental

• beneficial = new variations of a trait

• detrimental = changes the normal function of a trait (for the worse)

• neutral = have no effect on the function

define genome

the entirety of the genetic information in an organism or organelle

• humans genome consists of 46 chromosomes + mitochondrial DNA

• in plants genome is DNA in nucleolus, mitochondria, and chloroplast

What is the Human Genome Project

The human genome project is a project where the entire base sequence of humans was sequenced

How has the Human Genome Project contributed to knowledge?

1. Mapping

   1. number, location, size and sequence of human genes has now been established

2. Screening

   1. gene probes detect sufferers and carriers of genetic defects

3. Medicine

   1. discovery of new proteins have lead to improved treatments

   2. new and effective drugs

4. Ancestry

   1. comparisons with other genomes has provided insight on the evolution, migration patterns, and origins of man

Describe how Sickle Cell Anemia is caused

1. a mutation in a single base occurs, GAG → GTG

   1. this is called an SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism)

2. this causes a change in mRNA sequence when the DNA is copied during transcription

3. when the normal mRNA is translated, it produces glutamic acid

4. but when the mutated mRNA is translated, it produces valine instead

5. valine has a different shape and charge (compared to glutamic acid), so it causes the entire polypeptide chain’s shape and structure to change

6. therefor the shape of hemoglobin changes

7. and then the shape of the whole red blood cell changes to a half-moon shape (sickle shape)

what happens when one has sickle cell anemia, problems associated with the disease?

due to the blood cells sickle shape:

• it is much smaller

  • cannot carry as much oxygen

• causes clots in blood vessels

  • due to abnormal shape

  • • inflexibility caused by crystallization of abnormal hemoglobin

state the number of genes in the human genome

approx. 21 000 genes

describe the relationship between number of genes in a species and complexity in structure, behavior and physiology

the more complex an organism is, the more number of genes/larger genome it will have