genetics

• What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

  DNA to RNA to Protein
• Who won the 2015 prize for DNA repair discoveries?

  Three scientists for DNA repair methods
• What is the significance of the AUG codon?

  It is the start codon encoding methionine
• How many codons are there in the genetic code?

  64 codons
• What does it mean that the genetic code is degenerate?

  18 amino acids coded by multiple codons
• What can mutations in DNA sequence lead to?

  Altered protein levels and structures
• What are the two types of mutations mentioned?

  Gross changes and single nucleotide changes
• What is a silent mutation?

  No change in the amino acid translated
• What is a missense mutation?

  Change in the amino acid translated
• What is a nonsense mutation?

  Formation of a stop codon
• What happens during a base substitution mutation?

  One nucleotide is swapped for another
• What is a frameshift mutation?

  Extensive codon changes due to insertion/deletion
• What is the cytogenetic location of the CFTR gene?

  7q31.2
• How is cystic fibrosis inherited?

  In an autosomal recessive manner
• What is the CFTR protein's function?

  Regulates chloride channels in cells
• What is mutagenesis?

  The process by which mutations arise
• What can cause spontaneous mutations?

  Irregular base-pairing during replication
• What is a tautomeric shift?

  A transient change in base structures
• What is the role of DNA polymerase during replication?

  Synthesizes DNA in a 5' to 3' direction
• What happens if a spontaneous mutation is not corrected?

  It may undergo mismatch repair after replication
• What is the function of Mut S, Mut L, and Mut H in mismatch repair?

  Recognize and repair mismatched bases
• What is xeroderma pigmentosum?

  A disorder with elevated skin cancer risk
• What is the role of nucleotide excision repair (NER)?

  Repairs UV-induced DNA damage
• What is the next session topic after today's?

  Gene expression (transcription)