gene tech

• What are gene mutations?

  Alterations of a base sequence in DNA
• When are gene mutations likely to occur?

  During DNA replication in interphase
• What is the impact of a gene mutation on hemoglobin?

  It can change the amino acid sequence
• How does a single amino acid change affect protein structure?

  It alters hydrogen and ionic bond formation
• What happens if an enzyme's active site changes shape?

  It may no longer catalyze a reaction
• What are mutagenic agents?

  Factors that increase mutation risk
• What types of radiation are considered mutagenic?

  Alpha, beta, x-rays, and gamma rays
• How does ultraviolet light affect DNA?

  It can damage and disrupt DNA structure
• What are carcinogens?

  Chemicals that interfere with DNA structure
• What is an addition mutation?

  When one DNA nucleotide is added
• What is a frame shift mutation?

  It alters all subsequent triplets in DNA
• What happens during a deletion mutation?

  A base is removed from the DNA sequence
• How do substitution mutations differ from addition or deletion mutations?

  Only one base is swapped in substitution
• What is a silent mutation?

  A mutation with no impact on amino acids
• What is an inversion mutation?

  A section of DNA is reversed in order
• What is translocation in terms of mutations?

  A section of DNA moves to a different chromosome
• How can translocation affect gene expression?

  It can disrupt multiple genes on a chromosome
• What is the significance of gene mutations?

  They can lead to changes in protein function
• What are stem cells defined as?

  Undifferentiated cells that can divide
• What are the two key properties of stem cells?

  They can continually divide and specialize
• What is the process by which stem cells become specialized cells called?

  Differentiation
• What are the four types of stem cells mentioned?

  Totipotent, pluripotent, multipotent, unipotent
• What can totipotent stem cells differentiate into?

  Any type of cell in the body
• When are totipotent stem cells available?

  In the very early stages of an embryo
• What is the significance of pluripotent stem cells in research?

  They can potentially treat human disorders
• What is a potential issue with using pluripotent stem cells?

  They may lead to tumor formation
• What ethical issue is associated with pluripotent stem cells?

  Therapeutic cloning and embryo destruction
• Where are multipotent stem cells commonly found?

  In bone marrow
• What can multipotent stem cells differentiate into?

  A limited number of different cells
• What do unipotent stem cells differentiate into?

  Only one type of cell
• What is a source of multipotent stem cells besides bone marrow?

  Umbilical cord blood
• What are induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells)?

  Somatic cells reprogrammed to pluripotency
• What is the advantage of iPS cells over traditional pluripotent stem cells?

  No cloning or embryo destruction involved
• How are iPS cells created from somatic cells?

  By manipulating DNA with transcription factors
• What happens when all genes are turned on in a somatic cell?

  It returns to a pluripotent state
• What is the potential of iPS cells in medicine?

  Limitless supplies for patient-specific treatments
• What is cancer a result of?

  Mutations in genes regulating mitosis
• How does a gene mutation affect mitosis?

  It can create a non-functioning protein
• What happens when mitosis is uncontrolled?

  A tumor is formed
• What are the two types of tumors?

  Benign and malignant tumors