MI Unit 2: Key Terms: Explain each of the key terms listed. For EACH term, use diagrams to enhance your response.
1. aminocentesis
2. anneal
3. carrier screening
4. chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
5. denaturation
6. gene
7. genetic counseling
8. genetic testing
9. genome
10. genotype
11. karyotype
12. newborn screening
13. polymerase chain reaction
14. preimplantation genetic diagnosis
15. primer
16. restriction enzyme
17. single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)
18. Taq polymerase
19. Thermal cycler
20. Ultrasonography
21. Cloning
22. Gene therapy
23. In vitro fertilization
24. Sex selection
25. vector
1. How would a genetic counselor use a pedigree to help his or her clients understand genetic diseases?
2. Why are studies of identical twins raised in different environments extremely valuable in understanding the causes of a disease?
3. Recall the molecular tools you have studied – Gel Electrophoresis, PCR, and Restriction Analysis. How do you think these techniques and procedures can be used to test human genes?
4. How do doctors and researchers decide whether a disease is a good candidate for gene therapy?
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using viral vectors for gene therapy?
6. What factors must be considered when choosing a vector for a gene therapy trial?
7. Many athletes and administrators fear the widespread use of gene doping – the use of gene therapy to modify genes that improve athletic performance. Describe at least two genetic modifications that would improve the performance of an athlete. Make sure to mention the body system(s) affected as well as the specific goal of the therapy.
8. What are the pros and cons of allowing parents to choose the gender of their children?
9. How can sex selection help parents who fear passing on a sex-linked disorder, such as hemophilia or Duchene muscular dystrophy?
10. Who do you think should draw the line as to what constitutes gene therapy and what constitutes gene enhancement? Parents? Doctors? Lawmakers? Explain your choice.