Genetics Trivia - Learn About Your Genes

Proteins are formed by the joining of amino acids through peptide bonds. Amino acids are organic compounds that contain an amino group and a carboxyl group. When these amino acids combine, the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, resulting in the formation of a peptide bond. This process continues, creating a chain of amino acids that folds and interacts to form a protein. Therefore, the statement "To form proteins, amino acids join together using peptide bonds" is true.

Complete dominance occurs when the dominant allele completely masks the effects of the recessive allele in the heterozygous individual. This means that the phenotype of the heterozygote is identical to the phenotype of the homozygous dominant individual. In other words, the dominant allele contributes to the full phenotype, while the recessive allele has no observable effect.

The S allele confers resistance to malaria because it causes cells to sickle in low oxygen conditions, leading to their eventual lysis. This disruption of the parasitic lifestyle of malaria parasites creates selective pressure in malaria endemic regions, causing the S allele to become more prominent.

Hydrogen bonds are formed when the partial negative charge of an oxygen atom attracts the partial positive charge of a hydrogen atom. This attraction creates a bond between the two atoms, similar to how opposite ends of a magnet attract each other. This bond is relatively weak compared to covalent or ionic bonds, but it is important in various biological processes, such as the structure of DNA and the folding of proteins.

A change in pH can denature a protein and cause it to unfold because the pH affects the charges on the amino acid residues in the protein. Proteins have specific pH ranges in which they are stable and functional. When the pH deviates from this range, the charges on the amino acids change, disrupting the protein's structure and causing it to unfold. This unfolding leads to the loss of the protein's function and can result in its denaturation.

The reason O2 enters the red blood cell and binds to the hemoglobin protein from the lungs is because there is a higher concentration of O2 in the lungs compared to the red blood cells. According to the law of partial pressure, gases diffuse from an area of higher partial pressure to an area of lower partial pressure. Since the lungs have a high concentration of O2 and the red blood cells have a lower concentration, the O2 molecules enter the red blood cells.

All amino acids have a common structure consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a central carbon atom. The only thing that differentiates one amino acid from another is the R group, also known as the side chain. The R group can vary in size, shape, and chemical properties, which gives each amino acid its unique characteristics. Therefore, it is correct to say that all amino acids are almost identical except for the R group.

Incomplete dominance is the term used to describe a situation where a dominant allele does not completely mask the effects of a recessive allele. Instead, the organism's physical appearance shows a blending of both alleles, resulting in a phenotype that is intermediate between the two. This is different from complete dominance, where the dominant allele completely masks the effects of the recessive allele. Co-dominance refers to a situation where both alleles are expressed equally and clearly in the phenotype.

True because the s allele protects people against malaria and selective pressures cause that allele to be more present in those populations.

This statement is incorrect. Dominant alleles can show up in both homozygous (having two copies of the same allele) and heterozygous (having two different alleles) individuals. In fact, dominant alleles will always be expressed in individuals who have at least one copy of the dominant allele, whether they are homozygous or heterozygous for that allele. Therefore, the correct answer is false.

Red blood cells are indeed created when the signaling molecule erythropoietin binds to an enzyme-linked receptor in a progenitor cell. This binding triggers a kinase cascade, which activates the gene responsible for turning the cell into an erythrocyte. Therefore, the statement is true.

The red bone marrow is responsible for producing red blood cells. Red bone marrow is found in the spongy bone inside certain bones of the body, such as the hip bones, ribs, and sternum. It contains stem cells that can differentiate into different types of blood cells, including red blood cells. These red blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body and removing carbon dioxide waste.

SCD refers to Sickle Cell Disease, which is indeed an example of incomplete dominance. In incomplete dominance, neither allele is completely dominant over the other, resulting in a phenotype that is a blend or intermediate between the two homozygous phenotypes. In the case of SCD, individuals who inherit one sickle cell allele and one normal allele have a phenotype that is a blend between having normal red blood cells and having sickle-shaped red blood cells.

The shape of a protein is crucial for its function because it determines how the protein interacts with other molecules in the body. Proteins are made up of a chain of amino acids that fold into a specific three-dimensional structure. This structure allows the protein to bind to specific molecules, carry out enzymatic reactions, and perform other important functions. If the shape of a protein is altered, it can lead to loss of function or even disease. Therefore, the shape of a protein is indeed the most important factor that dictates its function.

Hemoglobin is indeed an example of a quaternary structure. Quaternary structure refers to the arrangement of multiple protein subunits to form a functional protein complex. Hemoglobin consists of four subunits - two alpha chains and two beta chains - that come together to form a tetrameric structure. Each subunit binds to a heme group, which allows hemoglobin to bind and transport oxygen in the blood. Therefore, the statement "hemoglobin is an example of a quaternary structure" is true.

Co-Dominant is the correct answer because in co-dominance, both alleles are fully expressed in the phenotype of the heterozygous individual. This means that neither allele is dominant or recessive over the other, and both contribute equally to the phenotype. This can result in a phenotype that shows a combination of traits from both alleles, rather than one trait being dominant over the other.

The highest protein energy state refers to the state where the protein has the most energy. In the context of protein structure, the primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in the protein. This primary structure is where the protein is in its most unfolded and flexible state, allowing it to have the highest energy. As the protein undergoes folding and forms secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, it becomes more stable and the energy decreases. Therefore, the highest protein energy state corresponds to the primary structure.

A monogenic trait refers to a trait controlled by a single gene with two alleles. In the case of cystic fibrosis, it is caused by a mutation in a single gene known as the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. This gene has two alleles, one normal and one mutated, and the presence of the mutated allele leads to the development of cystic fibrosis. Therefore, cystic fibrosis is an example of a monogenic trait.

The carboxyl terminus is the end of a protein chain that contains a carboxyl group (-COOH). In a protein, the carboxyl terminus is always located at the right side. This is because proteins are synthesized from the N-terminus (amino end) to the C-terminus (carboxyl end), and the carboxyl group is the last group to be added during protein synthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is "the right side."

Secondary protein structures refer to the local folding patterns that occur within a protein chain. The alpha helix and beta sheet are two common types of secondary structures. The alpha helix is a coiled structure formed by hydrogen bonding between amino acids within the protein chain, while the beta sheet is a pleated structure formed by hydrogen bonding between adjacent protein strands. These secondary structures play a crucial role in determining the overall shape and stability of a protein, and they are important for its function. The other options, globular proteins and primary structure, are not examples of secondary protein structures.

The correct answer is "Homozygous dominant for risk alleles (ss)." This is because sickle cell disease (SCD) is caused by a mutation in the hemoglobin gene, specifically the presence of two copies of the sickle cell allele (s). Individuals who are homozygous dominant for the risk alleles (ss) will have the full sickle cell disease phenotype. The other options mentioned in the question, such as heterozygous dominant (As), homozygous recessive (AA), and heterozygous recessive (sA), do not represent the full sickle cell disease phenotype.

Linnaeus Pauling discovered the molecular basis behind SCD by using light to look through cells to see which ones were sickled and which ones were not. Light microscopy is a commonly used technique in biology to visualize and study cells and their structures. By using light, Pauling was able to observe the characteristic sickle shape of red blood cells in individuals with sickle cell disease, providing valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the disease.

Fe++ and heme groups are only present in hemoglobin. Not normal natured proteins.

The amino acid sequence dictates the shape and function of the protein because the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the amino acids determine how the protein folds. The interactions between these amino acids cause the protein to adopt a specific three-dimensional structure, which is crucial for its function. The folding pattern of the protein determines its active sites, binding sites, and overall structure, which ultimately determines its function in the cell.

False. Iron (Fe++) is present per each heme group, phosphorous is not.

Oxygen leaves the hemoglobin and then the red blood cell into the body through a process called diffusion. Diffusion occurs due to the difference in partial pressure of oxygen between the blood and the tissues. Oxygen molecules move from an area of high partial pressure (in the blood) to an area of low partial pressure (in the tissues) until equilibrium is reached. This allows oxygen to be delivered to the body's cells where it is needed for cellular respiration.

Monogenic diseases are not very common in hominids. Monogenic diseases are caused by a mutation in a single gene and are relatively rare. Most diseases in hominids, including humans, are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, making them polygenic or multifactorial. These diseases are influenced by multiple genes and are more common in the population. Therefore, the statement that monogenic diseases are very common in hominids is false.

Proteins fold because they always need to move to their lowest energy state. This is because proteins are made up of long chains of amino acids, and the folding process allows them to adopt a compact and stable structure. In their folded state, proteins can interact with other molecules and perform their specific functions effectively. Folding to the lowest energy state ensures that the protein is in its most stable conformation, minimizing any potential energy barriers and promoting proper functioning.

Amino acids contain a carboxyl group (C-terminus) which is a functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group. They also contain an alpha carbon, which is the central carbon atom in the amino acid molecule. Additionally, amino acids have an amino group (amino terminus) which is a functional group consisting of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. Lastly, amino acids have an R-group, which is a variable side chain that differentiates one amino acid from another.

The sicklemia phenotype is caused by a mutation in the HBB gene, which codes for the beta-globin protein. In individuals with sicklemia, they have inherited one copy of the sickle cell allele (HBS) and one copy of the normal allele (HBA). This combination, AS, leads to the production of both normal and abnormal hemoglobin, resulting in the sickle-shaped red blood cells characteristic of sicklemia. Individuals with AA have two copies of the normal allele and do not have the sicklemia phenotype, while individuals with SS have two copies of the sickle cell allele and typically have a more severe form of the disease. HBA and HBS are simply abbreviations for the normal and sickle cell alleles, respectively.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon monoxide molecules. It consists of four alpha globin polypeptides and is made up of around 600 amino acids. It is not a fatty acid. Therefore, the correct answer is that all of the above statements are true about hemoglobin.

When someone has sickle cell disease, their red blood cells have an abnormal shape and become rigid, forming a sickle shape. This happens in the presence of low oxygen levels (low O2) in the body. The sickling of red blood cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to various complications and symptoms associated with sickle cell disease.

The B-Globin gene is the main contributor to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). SCD is a genetic disorder characterized by abnormal hemoglobin, which causes red blood cells to become rigid and sickle-shaped. This gene provides instructions for making a protein called beta-globin, a component of hemoglobin. Mutations in the B-Globin gene result in the production of abnormal hemoglobin molecules, leading to the formation of sickle-shaped red blood cells. These abnormal cells can cause blockages in blood vessels, leading to various complications associated with SCD.