midterm 341

• What is the correct order of the following terms from largest to smallest: chromosome, gene pool, gene, DNA, genome?

  gene pool, genome, chromosome, gene, DNA
• What is bioethics?

  Bioethics involves personal and social issues arising from medical technology or genetic information.
• Give an example of a bioethical issue.

  Organ donation and transplantation.
• How does DNA encode information?

  DNA encodes information through nucleotides: Adenine, Guanine, Thymine, Cytosine.
• What determines the sequence of amino acids in proteins?

  The order of hydrogen bonds in DNA nucleotides determines the sequence of amino acids.
• What is the distinction between an autosome and a sex chromosome?

  • An autosome does not carry genes that determine sex.
  • A sex chromosome carries genes that determine sex.
• What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

  • Genotype: The allele constitution for a particular gene.
  • Phenotype: The physical expression of an allele combination.
• How do DNA and RNA differ?

  • DNA: Double-stranded, contains deoxyribose, bases are adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine.
  • RNA: Single-stranded, contains ribose, bases are adenine, guanine, cytosine, uracil.
• What is the difference between recessive and dominant traits?

  • Recessive allele: Determines phenotype in two copies.
  • Dominant allele: Determines phenotype in one copy.
• What is the difference between pedigrees and karyotypes?

  • Pedigree: A chart of family relationships and traits.
  • Karyotype: A chart of chromosomes.
• What is the distinction between a gene and a genome?

  • Gene: A sequence of DNA that encodes a protein.
  • Genome: All DNA in a set of genetic instructions.
• What is the difference between an exome and a genome?

  • Exome: The protein-encoding part of a genome.
  • Genome: All the DNA in a set of genetic instructions.
• How do Mendelian traits differ from complex traits?

  • Mendelian trait: Comes from a single gene.
  • Complex trait: Arises from genes and environmental factors.
• What is an allele?

  An allele is a variant form of a gene.
• How do all cells in a person's body have the same genome yet differ in type?

  Cells differ through selective gene expression, activating or silencing different genes.
• What two types of information do pedigrees show?

  Inheritance patterns and family relationships.
• What is a gene pool?

  A gene pool is all the alleles in a population.
• What are three uses of DNA sequencing or manipulation?

  Identifying genetic disorders, forensic science, and developing modified crops.
• How does metagenomics analyze genomes other than those from humans?

  It studies DNA of microorganisms directly from their environment.
• What is a frivolous use of DNA testing?

  Discovering hair or eye color.
• What is a serious use of DNA testing?

  Diagnosing an illness.
• What are the functions of the following organelles: lysosome, rough ER, nucleus, smooth ER, Golgi apparatus, mitochondrion, peroxisome?

  • Lysosome: Dismantles debris.
  • Rough ER: Protein synthesis.
  • Nucleus: Houses DNA.
  • Smooth ER: Lipid synthesis.
  • Golgi apparatus: Processes secretions.
  • Mitochondrion: Energy extraction.
  • Peroxisome: Detoxification.
• What disease results from lysosomal dysfunction?

  Tay-Sachs disease.
• What condition arises from peroxisomal disorders?

  Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD).
• What are the symptoms of mitochondrial dysfunction?

  Fatigue and energy depletion.
• How do cytoskeleton malfunctions contribute to diseases?

  They can lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
• What are channelopathies?

  Disorders caused by malfunctioning ion channels.
• What advantage does compartmentalization provide to cells?

  It organizes biochemical processes into specialized organelles.
• What is the difference between an exosome and an endosome?

  • Endosome: A vesicle that ferries LDL cholesterol to lysosomes.
  • Exosome: A vesicle that transports molecules between cells.
• How does the plasma membrane function beyond just covering the cell?

  • Enables cell communication through receptors.
  • Facilitates cell adhesion to form tissues.
• What are the controls on cell cycle rate?

  • External signals that stimulate division.
  • Contact inhibition slowing division when crowded.
  • Checkpoints for DNA repair.
  • Cyclins and CDKs controlling progression.
• How do all cells contain the same genetic material yet specialize?

  They specialize due to differential gene expression.
• What are the differences between bacterial and eukaryotic cells?

  • Bacterial Cell: Prokaryotic, lacks a nucleus, smaller, simple structure.
  • Eukaryotic Cell: Contains a nucleus, membrane-bound organelles, larger, complex.
• What is the difference between interphase and mitosis?

  • Interphase: Prepares for division (G1, S, G2 phases).
  • Mitosis: Nuclear division resulting in two identical daughter cells.
• What is the difference between mitosis and apoptosis?

  • Mitosis: Process of cell division.
  • Apoptosis: Programmed cell death.
• How do rough ER and smooth ER differ?

  • Rough ER: Studded with ribosomes, involved in protein synthesis.
  • Smooth ER: Lacks ribosomes, functions in lipid synthesis and detoxification.
• What is the difference between microtubules and microfilaments?

  • Microtubules: Hollow tubes made of tubulin, larger diameter, provide structural support.
  • Microfilaments: Solid rods made of actin, smaller diameter, involved in cell movement.
• What is the difference between a stem cell and a progenitor cell?

  • Stem Cell: Undifferentiated, can divide indefinitely and differentiate into various types.
  • Progenitor Cell: Can follow several developmental pathways but not all.
• What is the difference between totipotent and pluripotent cells?

  • Totipotent: Can develop into any cell type, including placental structures.
  • Pluripotent: Can differentiate into almost any cell type but not form an entire organism.
• How are intermediate filaments similar to microtubules and microfilaments?

  They all provide structural support and maintain cell shape.