21.3 Using DNA sequencing

Question 1

define bioinformatics

Answer 1

development of the software and computing needed to organise and analyse raw biological data (development of algorithms, mathematical statistics and statistical tests)

Question 2

define computational biology

Answer 2

using data generated by bioinformatics to build theoretical models of biological systems. used to predict what will happen in different circumstances

Question 3

what are genomics

Answer 3

area of genetics that applied DNA sequencing and computational biology to analyse the structure and function of genomes

Question 4

what are the benefits of analysing the human genome

Answer 4

• reveals patterns in DNA we inherit, showing diseases we are vulnerable for (however environment still plays a large role in this)

Question 5

what has sequencing of pathogens genomes enabled

Answer 5

• find the source of infection in hospitals
• identify anti-biotic resistance and ensure antibiotics only used when effective
• track the progress of an outbreak of potentially serious diseases and monitor potential epidemics
• identify regions in the genome that may be targets for development of new drugs and identify genetic markers for vaccines

Question 6

how can genome sequencing identify new species

Answer 6

allows new species to be compared to a standard sequence
- one technique used is DNA barcoding
- species identified by relatively short sections of DNA in concerved region
- section is small enough to be sequenced quickly and cheaply yet varies enough between species to show clear differences
- this also enables scientists to build up evolutionary relationships as comparison allows basic rate of DNA mutation to be calculated

Question 7

what area of the genome does DNA barcoding use in animals

Answer 7

648 base pair region of mitochondrial DNA in the gene cytochrome c oxidase, codes for enzyme involved in cellular respiration

Question 8

what area of the genome does DNA barcoding use in plants

Answer 8

2 regions of the DNA of the chloroplast

Question 9

define proteomics

Answer 9

the study and amino acid sequencing of an organisms entire protein complement. in theory sequencing of the genome should enable the prediction of amino acids, but more evidence suggesting much more complicated relationship between genotype and phenotype

Question 10

what are the two methods of protein modification

Answer 10

• splicosomes (modification before translation)
• protein modification (modification after translation)

Question 11

what are splicosomes and what do they enable

Answer 11

• enzymes that join exons when the pre-MRNA has its introns (and sometimes some exons) removed after transcription
• may join the same exons in variety of ways
• means a single gene able to produce several different versions of functioning mRNA translating to several different sequences of amino acids

Question 12

what is synthetic biology

Answer 12

the design and construction of novel artificial biological pathways, organisms or devices, or the redesign of natural biological systems

Question 13

what are some techniques used in synthetic biology

Answer 13

• genetic engineering (from single change in pathway to entire modification of an organism)
• use of biological systems in industry (i.e immobilised enzymes)
• synthesis of new genes to replace faulty genes
• synthesis of entire new organisms