UTACCEL 2010 Adventures in Biotechnology Graham Cromar

Genetics

Inheritance Punnett Square B = purple flowers b = white flowers Bb x Bb (Cross) 1:2:1 Genotypic ratio 3:1 Phenotypic ratio “B gene” “Big B allele” “Little b allele” Allele = a form of a gene Homozygous = BB, bb Heterozygous (or hybrid) = Bb

Segregation and Independent Assortment 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio A = Yellow, a = green B = Round, b = wrinkled “True breeding” “Hybrid”

Genes are physically on chromosomes Not all genes assort independently. Genes that reside close to one another on the same chromosome separate less frequently and this alters the characteristic 9:3:3:1 ratio in predictable ways. Three Important Points to Remember 1.Chromosomes are made of DNA 2.Segments of DNA code for a protein 3.Protein in turn, relates to a trait (eye color, enzymes, hormones..) “Linkage”

DNA Structure DNA is a long double-stranded molecule residing inside the nucleus of every cell. It is usually tightly coiled forming chromosomes in which it is protected by proteins. Each of the two strands of the DNA molecule is a chain of smaller molecules. Each link in the chain is composed of one sugar molecule, one phosphate molecule and one nucleotide molecule. There are four types of nucleotides (or 'bases') in the DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). The two strands of DNA are structured in such a way that an adenine on one strand is always attached to a thymine on the other strand, and the guanine of one strand is always bound to cytosine on the other strand. Thus, the two strands of the DNA molecule are mirror-images of each other. 3’5’ 3’ aatgccgt ttacggca “complimentary”“anti-parallel” “Twisted ladder”

Replication Highly recommended: ATGCCGATGCCG TACGGCTACGGC ATCCCGATCCCG TAGGGCTAGGGC A a ATGCCGATGCCG TACGGCTACGGC “template” ATGCCGATGCCG TACGGCTACGGC aa ATCCCGATCCCG TAGGGCTAGGGC A ATCCCGATCCCG TAGGGCTAGGGC A A : T G: C “Complimentary base pairing”

Mitosis and Meiosis Aa AAaaAAaa AAaaAAaa AAaa

Gene Expression How are Proteins Synthesized from DNA 1. DNA is transcribed into mRNA (messenger RNA) 2. mRNA leaves the nucleus and travels to the cytoplasm 3. Ribosomes in the cytoplasm use the code on mRNA to translate it into amino acids 4. Amino acids form a chain - a protein

Transcription and Translation “Codon” “Anti-codon” “Amino acid” “Transfer RNA”

The Genetic Code

Mutations Large scale changes occurring at the level of the chromosome also occur. These change the copy number of a gene or genes. Usually this is bad.

Model Organisms Advantages: Fast generation time Genetically tractable Easy to perform crosses Large numbers or progeny Interesting features e.g. Frog morphogenesis Plant photosynthesis Representative of diverse lineages Similar to ourselves (mammals) Extensive knowledge base Idea: By understanding the function of a gene in one organism, scientists can get an idea of what function that gene may perform in a more complex organism such as humans. The knowledge gained can then be applied to various fields such as medicine, biological engineering and forensics.

ABO blood groups Blood type is controlled by a gene “i” There are three forms: i A i B i O Each allele makes a different antigen, a protein sitting on the surface of the red blood cell i A and i B are co-dominant i O is recessive

Quiz 1.Draw the complimentary strand to the following single-stranded DNA molecule. ATTAGGACTTAGGA 5’3’ 2.Three new born babies have been mixed up by the nurses at the hospital. Given the blood types of the parents and babies can you match the babies to the correct set of parents? Parents AB x O A x B AB x AB Babies AB B O