Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

1

AP Biology Name _________________________ Reading Packet 6- Molecular Genetics Part 2 Chapter 19: Eukaryotic Genomes

1. Define the following terms: a. Euchromatin

b. Heterochromatin

c. Nucleosome

2. Outline the levels of DNA packing in the eukaryotic nucleus below next to the diagram provided.

3. What is cell differentiation? How is it accomplished?

4. How can the human body have such a variety of cell types when all cells in the body have the same genome?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

2

5. In the diagram below highlight all of the potential locations for gene expression regulation in eukaryotic cells. How does this compare with gene regulation in prokaryotic cells?

6. What effect do the following have on gene expression? a. Histone acetylation

b. Histone deacteylation

c. DNA methylation

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

3

7. Explain the concept of epigenetic inheritance.

8. How do the following control elements assist in regulation?

a. Transcription factors

b. Enhancers

c. Activators

d. Repressors

9. Use the diagram below to explain the interactions of enhancers and transcription activators.

10. Explain how RNA processing serves as a mechanism of post-transcriptional regulation.

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

4

11. What role do microRNA’s play in post-transcriptional regulation? Use the diagram below to help you explain.

12. What is RNA interference?

13. How does translation provide another opportunity for gene regulation?

14. What is a proteasome? How do they contribute to gene regulation?

15. What is the difference between oncogenes, proto-oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes?

16. What is the ras gene? What cancers are ras mutations associated with?

17. What is the p53 gene? What cancers are p53 mutations associated with?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

5

18. Label the diagram below that describes the signaling pathways that regulate cell division.

19. Why is said that people inherit predispositions to cancer, not cancer itself?

20. What are the types of DNA sequences in the human genome and what % of the genome does each type comprise?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

6

21. What is the difference between transposons and retrotransposons? Use the diagram below to help you answer the question.

22. What are Alu elements?

23. How do multi-gene families evolve?

24. Explain how transposable elements are thought to have contributed to the evolution of the genome.

Chapter 20: DNA Technology and Genomics

1. Define the following a. Recombinant DNA

b. Genetic engineering

c. Biotechnology

d. Gene cloning

2. Why did restriction enzymes evolve in bacteria?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

7

3. Define the following terms a. Restriction site

b. Restriction fragments

c. Sticky end

4. Label the following diagram.

5. Using the diagram below – label the steps to cloning a human gene in a bacterial plasmid

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

8

6. How can we tell if bacteria have been successfully transformed?

7. Explain the process of nucleic acid hybridization.

8. Why do scientists use a radioactive isotope tag for nucleic acid probes?

9. Label the following steps of nucleic acid probe hybridization.

10. Explain the concept of a “genomic library.”

11. What are the steps in making complementary DNA (“cDNA”)? Why is cDNA useful?

12. Why do genetic engineers use expression vectors?

13. Why do molecular biologists use yeast as opposed to bacteria for expressing eukaryotic genes of interest?

14. Explain what a yeast artificial chromosome is and how it is used.

15. What is electroporation?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

9

16. Why is the polymerase chain reaction (“PCR”) important for many aspects of biotechnology?

17. Label the PCR diagram below.

18. What is the purpose and general process of gel electrophoresis?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

10

19. Label the diagram below. Include the charge, molecule size and results.

20. Label the diagram below. Identify the fragments.

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

11

21. Define and explain the significance of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (“RFLP's) and how we can use them in DNA profiling.

22. What was the purpose of the Human Genome Project?

23. Label the diagram outlining the Southern Blotting of DNA Fragments

24. What is the goal of DNA sequencing?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

12

25. Outline the diagram below of Dideoxy Chain Termination.

26. Why is the whole-genome shotgun approach to sequencing more efficient than previous sequencing methods?

27. Is there a direct correlation between size of the genome and the complexity of the organism?

28. Why do scientists use in vitro mutagenesis?

29. Explain the fields of “genomics” and “proteomics.”

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

13

30. What are some of the examples of the medical applications of biotechnology?

31. What is the goal of gene therapy?

32. How successful have gene therapy attempts been to this point in time?

33. What is a DNA fingerprint? How do we use them?

34. What is a transgenic animal? How do we make them and how do we use them?

35. What are the goals of genetically modifying foods? Do you think that you have eaten any?

Chapter 21: The Genetic Basis of Development We will be covering chapter 21 “lightly” – use this guided reading assignment as a roadmap to the topics that we will focus on.

1. What is meant by the phrase “model organisms are representative groups”?

2. Define the following terms: a. Cell differentiation

b. Morphogenesis

c. induction

d. Apical meristems

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

14

3. Use the unlabeled diagram to contrast stages of development in plants and animals.

4. What is meant by the statement that an organism has genomic equivalence?

5. What does totipotent mean?

6. Describe the steps involved in reproductive cloning of a mammal by nuclear transplantation.

7. What are some of the problems associated with animal cloning?

8. Define the following: a. Stem cell

b. Pluripotent

9. Explain the mechanisms of pattern formation in animal embryos. Specifically address the following points: a. How is the developmental axis established in Drosophila?

Adapted from L. Miriello by D. Knuffke

15

b. What is the function of segmentation genes in fruit flies?

c. Explain the role of homeotic genes.

d. How does cell signaling affect induction in C. elegans?

10. What is apoptosis and why is it important in development?

11. What is a chimera?

12. What is the evolutionary significance of the homeobox (Hox) gene?

13. Compare and contrast Animal and Plant development.