Genomics and Population Genetics Flashcards

Flashcards about gene regulation and population genetics.

What is the role of mRNA secondary structures in gene regulation?

RNA molecules folding into structures that regulate gene expression.

What are some examples of mRNA secondary structures that play a role in gene regulation?

Terminator sequence in the 5' UTR of the trp operon and riboswitches.

In what organisms are riboswitches found?

Bacteria, archaea, fungi, and plants (not animals).

Where are riboswitches typically located?

The 5' UTR of an mRNA.

What processes are affected upon the binding of a ligand to a riboswitch?

Transcription and Translation.

What domain within riboswitches binds the ligand?

An aptamer domain.

What is antisense RNA (asRNA)?

Long non-coding RNAs that are complementary to target mRNA.

What is the function of antisense RNA binding to mRNA?

Prevent translation.

Which enzyme cuts dsRNA into siRNAs or miRNAs?

Dicer.

What is the result of RISC binding to complementary mRNA?

mRNA degradation or translation inhibition.

What is the function of miRNA?

Gene regulation.

What epigenetic changes can siRNA cause via RITS?

Recruit methyltransferase enzymes and methylate DNA.

What is experimental RNAi used for?

Targeted gene knockdown in research or medicine.

What can long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) bind to?

Bind to DNA, RNA, or proteins to regulate gene expression.

What does Xist stand for?

X-inactive specific transcript.

What leads to heterochromatin formation?

Heterochromatin formation and X inactivation.

What are the two types of Chromosomal variants?

Balanced and Unbalanced.

What can duplication create?

Copy Number Variants.

What does duplication increases?

Increases gene dosage, which may alter phenotype.

What may deletion expose?

Expose recessive alleles in heterozygotes (pseudodominance).

What are the two types of Inversion?

Paracentric and Pericentric.

What are the two types of Translocation?

Exchange between chromosomes and One-way movement.

Where does Robertsonian translocation occur?

Occurs at or near centromeres of acrocentric chromosomes.

How do DNA transposons operate?

Cut and paste via transposase.

How do Retrotransposons operate?

Copy and paste via reverse transcription.

What is Allopolyploidy?

Combines chromosome sets from two or more species.

What is Genomics?

The study of genetic material across entire genomes.

What are the key products of Structural Genomics?

Assembled genomes and gene annotations.

What is the key goal of function genomics?

Associate traits with specific genetic variants.

What are the effects of Migration (Gene Flow)?

Alters allele frequencies, Prevents genetic divergence, Increases genetic variation.