20.6 - Geneome Projects

Question 1

What is the definition of a genome

Answer 1

The entire set of genetic material in an organism, including all of its genes

Question 2

What is the definition of a proteome

Answer 2

The full range of proteins that a cell is able to produce

Question 3

Why is the proteome described as dynamic compared to the genome

Answer 3

The genome is constant for an organism, but the proteome varies because different genes are switched on or off in response to various stimuli

Question 4

Why is it relatively easy to determine the proteome of prokaryotic organisms (like bacteria)

Answer 4

Most prokaryotes have a single, circular piece of DNA that is not associated with histone proteins
- they lack non - coding sections of DNA (introns) which are common in complex organisms

Question 5

How is identifying the proteome of bacteria useful in medicine

Answer 5

It allows for the identification of antigens on the surface of many disease-causing bacteria, which can then be used to develop effective vaccines

Question 6

What is the main barrier to determining the proteome of complex organisms

Answer 6

They genome contains large amounts of non-coding DNA (introns) and regulatory genes. Only a small fraction of the DNA actually code for proteins

Question 7

What was the primary goal of the human genome project

Answer 7

To map the entire sequence of the 3 billion base pairs that make up the human genome

Question 8

Is there such thing as ‘the’ human genome

Answer 8

No. Aside from identical twins everyone has a unique genome. The HGP sequence is a representative map based of various individuals

Question 9

What is the name of the method commonly used to sequence DNA today

Answer 9

The Sanger method (whole genome shotgun sequencing)

Question 10

How has the sequencing technology changes since the 1970s

Answer 10

It has become automated much faster and significantly cheaper. What used to take years can now be done in days

Question 11

What is the whole genome shotgun sequencing

Answer 11

A technique where the entire genome is cut into small manageable fragments, sequenced and then put back together using computer algorithms that look for overlapping sequences

Question 12

How does knowing the human genome help with genetic disorders

Answer 12

Over 1400 genes have already been identified that contribute to various diseases, helping with diagnosis and potential gene therapy

Question 13

How does sequencing help us understand evolution

Answer 13

It allows scientists to compare the genomes of different species to see how closely related they are and how they have diverged over time