What is DNA?
A polymer made up of two strands creating a double helix which is contained in chromosomes
What is a gene?
A small section of DNA on a chromosome that codes for a protein
What is an allele
Different versions of the same gene
What is a genome?
The entire genetic material of an organism
Why is it important to understand the human genome?
How many chromosomes are in an ordinary body cell? How many of these determine sex?
23, 1
What is a chromosome?
The strings of DNA
What is polydactyl and what is it caused by?
Extra fingers or toes
Dominant allele
What is cystic fibrosis and what is it caused by?
A disorder of cell membrane - extra mucus,
A recessive allele
What is a genotype?
The combination of alleles
What is a phenotype?
The physical characteristic caused by the alleles
What is a carrier?
A person who has at least one allele for a disease but doesn’t suffer (unless specified in question)
What is a single gene disorder?
A disorder caused by a mutation in one single gene
What is amniocentesis?
Embryo screening during a normal pregnancy- take amniotic fluid and test for cell disorders
What is embryo screening?
Removing a couple cells from an embryo and testing them for genetic mutations / defective alleles
What are the ethical, social and economic concerns with embryonic screening?
Ethical
- ‘designer babies’/ selective breeding
- prevents emotional trauma from losing a child ad prevents a child from suffering
Social
- suggest disabled lives are inferior
- social inequality as rich people can pay for embryonic screening
Economic
- disabled children cost more for healthcare
- burden on social services
What are two reasons why sexual reproduction causes variation in the offspring?
What are the edvantages of embryo screening?