CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing -target specific mutations by using specialized crRNA/tracrRNA
(gRNA)
-use plasmids to get these into the system
-allows for treatment of certain genetic disease
-allows targeting of DNA sequences
1. Cas9 protein and guide RNA are binded to form complex
2. complementary sequence of the guide rna binds to the part of the target gene and the active
sites of the Cas9 protein cuts the DNA on both strands
gene therapy The insertion of working copies of a gene into the cells of a person with a
genetic disorder in an attempt to correct the disorder
Transgenic term used to refer to an organism that contains genes from other organisms
Human Genome Project An international collaborative effort to map and sequence the DNA
of the entire human genome.
Proteomics study of the structure and function of proteins in the human body
transposable elements mobile pieces of DNA that can copy themselves into entirely new
areas of the chromosomes
Transposons (jumping genes) short strands of DNA capable of moving from one location to
another within a cell's genetic material (DNA intermediate)
Retrotransposons Transposable elements that move within a genome by means of an RNA
intermediate, a transcript of the retrotransposon DNA. (RNA mediate)
,multigene families collections of two or more identical or very similar genes
homebox genes Genes that control the development of the body plan of an organism.
evo-devo Evolutionary developmental biology; a field of biology that compares
developmental processes of different multicellular organisms to understand how these
processes have evolved and how changes can modify existing organismal features or lead to
new ones.
convergent evolution Process by which unrelated organisms independently evolve
similarities when adapting to similar environments
Protocells An abiotic precursor of a living cell that had a membrane-like structure and that
maintained an internal chemistry different from that of its surroundings.
Synapsids Gave rise to mammals and their extinct relatives (300 mya)
Therapsids mammal-like reptiles (280 mya)
Cynodonts were mammal-like reptiles that had various combinations of mammalian and
reptilian characters. (200 mya)
Stromatolites Oldest known fossils formed from many layers of bacteria and sediment.
(archean)
oxygen revolution the accumulation of oxygen released by cyanobacteria beginning 2.6
billion years ago (archean)
, Eons Hadean, Archean, Proterozoic, Phanerozoic
Cambrian explosion A burst of evolutionary origins when most of the major body plans of
animals appeared in a relatively brief time in geologic history; recorded in the fossil record
about 545 to 525 million years ago.
Permian mass extinction 245 mya, occurred in 5 million to a few thousand years. 96% of
marine life died
Cretaceous Extinction the extinction of more than half of all species on the planet, including
the dinosaurs, about 65 MYA
heterochrony Evolutionary change in the timing or rate of an organism's development.
homeotic genes Genes that determine basic features of where a body part is.
paedemorphosis Having some features of the ancestral juvenile stage, but being an adult
(with a mature reproductive system)
neutral variation differences in DNA sequence that do not confer a selective advantage or
disadvantage
Condition for Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium 1. No mutations
2. Random mating
3. No natural selection
4. Extremely large population size