3.8 The control of gene expression

3.8.1 Alteration of the sequence of bases in DNA can alter the structure
of proteins

When might gene mutations arise?

What is an addition mutation?

Diagram of an addition mutation

What is a deletion mutation?

Diagram of an deletion mutation

What is a substitution mutation?

Diagram of a substitution mutation

What is an inversion mutation?

Diagram of an inversion mutation

What is a duplication mutation?

Diagram of a duplication mutation

What is a translocation mutation?

Diagram of a translocation mutation

What can mutations result in?

What impact do mutagenic agents have?

What are some examples of mutagenic agents?

3.8.2 Gene expression is controlled by a number of features

3.8.2.1 Most of a cell’s DNA is not translated

What are totipotent cells?

How does cell specialisation occur?

What are pluripotent cells?

What are multipotent cells?

What are unipotent cells?

How could pluripotent stem cells be used in medicine?

What are Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS cells)?

What are some arguments for the use of embryonic stem cells in research?

What are some arguments against the use of embryonic stem cells in research?

3.8.2.2 Regulation of transcription and translation

What are transcriptional factors?

What is the role of oestrogen in the stimulation of transcription?

What is epigenetics?

How can epigenetics alter gene expression?

What is the epigenome?

What is the effect of condensation of the DNA-histone complex?

In what ways can gene expression be altered?

How can decreased acetylation of associated histones affect gene expression?

How can increased methylation of DNA affect gene expression?

How can epigenetics cause disease?

How can epigenetics be used in treatment of disease?

What environmental factors can influence epigenetics?

Diagram of RNA interference

What are the stages of RNA interference?

3.8.2.3 Gene expression and cancer

What is a benign tumour?

What are the characteristics of a benign tumour?

What is a malignant tumour?

What are the characteristics of a malignant tumour?

What is the role of tumour-suppressor genes in regulating cell division?

How can tumour supressor genes be involved in development of tumours?

What is the role of proto-oncogenes genes in stimulating cell division?

How can proto-oncogenes genes be involved in development of tumours?

How can increased concentration of oestrogen increase the chance of breast cancer?

3.8.3 Using genome projects

What are sequencing projects?

What are some methods of gene sequencing?

What is the proteome?

What are the advantages of sequencing the genome of simple organisms?

What are the possible applications of information gained from sequencing the genome of simple organisms?

What are the difficulties in sequencing the genome of complex organisms?

What are the possible applications of information gained from sequencing the genome of complex organisms?

How have sequencing methods changed over time?

3.8.4 Gene technologies allow the study and alteration of gene function
allowing a better understanding of organism function and the
design of new industrial and medical processes

3.8.4.1 Recombinant DNA technology

What does Recombinant DNA technology involve?

How can fragments of DNA be produced?

How can mRNA be converted to cDNA using reverse transcriptase?

How can a desired gene be cut out of DNA by restriction endonucleases?

How can genes be synthesised in a 'gene machine'?

How can fragments of DNA be amplified?

What is in vitro cloning?

What are the stages of the polymerase chain reaction?

What are the positives of in vitro cloning?

What are the negatives of in vitro cloning?

What is in vivo cloning?

How are genes prepared for insertion into a vector?

How are genes inserted into a vector?

How are host cells transformed using vectors?

How are marker genes used to detect genetically modified cells or organisms?

What are some examples of marker genes?

What are the positives of in vivo cloning?

What are the negatives of in vivo cloning?

What are some uses of recombinant DNA technology?

What are some ethical issues relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology?

What are some financial issues relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology?

What are some social issues relating to the use of recombinant DNA technology?

What is gene therapy?

How can recombinant DNA technology be used in gene therapy?

3.8.4.2 Differences in DNA between individuals of the same species can be exploited for
identification and diagnosis of heritable conditions

What are DNA probes?

What are the stages in the use of DNA probes to locate specific alleles of genes?

What is DNA hybridisation?

What can DNA probes be used to screen for?

What is genetic counselling?

How can DNA probes be used in genetic counselling?

How can genetic counselling be used to advise people?

What is personalised medicine?

3.8.4.3 Genetic fingerprinting

What are variable number tandem
repeats (VNTRs)?

What is genetic fingerprinting?

What are the stages in genetic fingerprinting?

What are the stages in gel electrophoresis?

How can genetic fingerprinting be used to determine genetic relationships?

How can genetic fingerprinting be used to determine genetic variability within a population?

What are the uses of genetic fingerprinting?