CMMB 411 - 0 Introduction to Molecular Genetics

genetics

study of heretiy and variation in cells, individuals and populations

genees

functional unit of heredity and variation

molecular genetics

study of structure and function of genes at the molecular level

gene

dna sequence involved in making rna and protein

found on chromosomes and are parts of the genome

alleles

variant forms of genes caused by differences in DNA sequence — e.g. variation in eye colour, height

genotype

genes inherited by an organism

phenotype

visible traits (e.g. body plan, behaviour, illness/diseases)

genome

entire DNA sequence of an organism

gene expression

turning on a gene to produce RNA and protein (coding genes)

leads to cell differentiation

protein expression

the type and abundance of proteins in the cell, ultimately determine the phenotype of the cell

control every reaction in the cell

enzymes

proteins that catalyze the synthesis and transformation of all biomolecules

structural proteins

maintenance of cell shape, e.g. actin, microtubules

signalling proteins

hormones and receptors, e.g. insulin, leptin

phenotypic variation

different alleles and different regulation of gene and protein expression makes individuals different from one another

all humans have the same genes, but different alleles (relatives possess more common alleles and gene regulation and epigenetics)

molecular machineries

complexes of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids

diffusion to find each other and contact

high concentrations of macromolecules present

specific interactions - cooperative binding, low vs. high affinity sites