Genomes quiz Flashcards

Single copy genes are unique genes that exist as a single copy in the genome.

Tandem clusters form through gene duplication, often due to unequal crossover during chromatid misalignment.

Hox genes are a highly conserved gene family that determine the body plan of an embryo.

Constitutive heterochromatin is structural DNA that remains condensed and is usually found around the centromere and telomeres of chromosomes.

Short tandem repeats are short repeated DNA sequences that vary between individuals and are susceptible to unequal crossing over, leading to more repeats.

Transposable elements are DNA sequences that can move within the genome, and the two main types are transposons (using a DNA intermediate) and retrotransposons (using an RNA intermediate).

A pseudogene is a DNA sequence that once coded for a protein but has lost its functionality due to mutations.

MicroRNA is involved in RNA interference, which is crucial for the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes.

Introns are non-coding sections within a gene, while exons are coding sections that are expressed as proteins.

Cell cycle checkpoints are control mechanisms that regulate the timing and accuracy of cell division during mitosis.

Cell differentiation is the process by which an undifferentiated cell becomes specialized, resulting in cells with specific functions like neurons or epithelial cells.

Reverse transcriptase in retrotransposons converts RNA back into DNA, allowing the sequence to be inserted into the genome.

Unequal crossover during meiosis can lead to gene duplication and the formation of tandem clusters, contributing to genetic variation.