Deck 8: Chromosome Variation

Question 1

A chromosome duplication is a mutation that doubles part of a chromosome. In individuals heterozygous for a chromosome duplication, the duplicated region of the chromosome loops out when homologous chromosomes pair in prophase I of meiosis. Duplications often have major effects on the phenotype, possibly by altering gene dosage. Segmental duplications are common within the human genome.

-Chromosome duplications often result in abnormal phenotypes because

A) developmental processes depend on the relative amounts of proteins encoded by different genes.
B) extra copies of the genes within the duplicated region do not pair in meiosis.
C) the chromosome is more likely to break when it loops in meiosis.
D) extra DNA must be replicated, which slows down cell division.

Answer 1

developmental processes depend on the relative amounts of proteins encoded by different genes.

Question 2

A chromosomal deletion is a mutation in which a part of a chromosome is lost. In individuals heterozygous for a deletion, the normal chromosome loops out during prophase I of meiosis. Deletions cause recessive genes on the homologous chromosome to be expressed and may cause imbalances in gene products
-What is pseudodominance and how is it produced by a chromosome deletion?

Answer 2

Pseudodominance is the expression of a recessive mutation. It is produced when the dominant wild-type allele in a heterozygous individual is absent due to a deletion on one chromosome.

Question 3

In an inversion, a segment of a chromosome is turned 180 degrees. Inversions cause breaks in some genes and may move others to new locations. In individuals heterozygous for a chromosome inversion, the homologous chromosomes form a loop in prophase I of meiosis. When crossing over takes place within the inverted region, nonviable gametes are usually produced, resulting in a depression in observed recombination frequencies.

-A dicentric chromosome is produced when crossing over takes place in an individual heterozygous for which type of chromosome rearrangement?

A) Duplication
B) Deletion
C) Paracentric inversion
D) Pericentric inversion

Answer 3

Paracentric inversion

Question 4

In translocations, parts of chromosomes move to other, nonhomologous chromosomes or to other regions of the same chromosome. Translocations can affect the phenotype by causing genes to move to new locations, where they come under the influence of new regulatory sequences, or by breaking genes and disrupting their function.

-What is the outcome of a Robertsonian translocation?

A) Two acrocentric chromosomes
B) One metacentric chromosome and one chromosome with two very short arms
C) One metacentric and one acrocentric chromosome
D) Two metacentric chromosomes

Question 5

Aneuploidy, the loss or gain of one or more individual chromosomes, may arise from the loss of a chromosome subsequent to translocation or from nondisjunction in meiosis or mitosis. It disrupts gene dosage and often has severe phenotypic effects.
-A diploid organism has 2n = 36 chromosomes. How many chromosomes will be found in a trisomic member of this species?

Question 6

In humans, sex-chromosome aneuploids are more common than autosomal aneuploids. X-chromosome inactivation prevents problems of gene dosage for X-linked genes. Down syndrome results from three functional copies of chromosome 21, either through trisomy (primary Down syndrome) or a Robertsonian translocation (familial Down syndrome).
-Briefly explain why, in humans and mammals, sex-chromosome aneuploids are more common than autosomal aneuploids?

Question 7

Polyploidy is the presence of extra chromosome sets: autopolyploids possess extra chromosome sets from the same species; allopolyploids possess extra chromosome sets from two or more species. Problems in chromosome pairing and segregation often lead to sterility in autopolyploids, but many allopolyploids are fertile.

-Species A has 2n = 16 chromosomes and species B has 2n = 14. How many chromosomes would be found in an allotriploid of these two species?

A) 21 or 24
B) 42 or 48
C) 22 or 23
D) 45