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olecular Genetic Analysi Due on Wednesday February 14th At The Beginning of Clas

ID: 193907 • Letter: O

Question

olecular Genetic Analysi Due on Wednesday February 14th At The Beginning of Clas Neuroligin NL3 Gene in Mo concepts of molecular genetics learned in BIOL 243 and to deve itical thinking skills . Type your answers to the following questions on a separate sheet of paper(s). Your response to Questions 4 and 6 must be hand-drawn. There is no page limit for this .Ensure your first and last name and lab section number are on your submission (the . Staple multiple pages together (there is no stapler in the lecture room). Do not use . Do not submit this question sheet with your assignment assignment, but your responses should be concise and clearly answer each question lab section number ensures that you will receive your graded assignment back in your report folders, paper clips or fold the pages together .Contact Dr. Chua if you have any questions about this assignment The work that you submit must be your own original work in your own words. Submissions that are identical or very similar are not acceptable and all suspected cases of academic misconduct are reported to the Head of the Department. See the University Calendar for more information on academic misconduct . Background Information In the nervous system, the brain processes information by transmission of electrical and chemical signals through a network of neurons. These signals travel through synapses which connect two neurons (Fig. 1). Neuroligins are cell-adhesion molecules that function to connect two neurons at synapses and mediate proper signalling across the synapse (Fig. 1). Interestingly, neuroligin function has been linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) which is primarily manifested by delayed development and deficiency in social interaction and communication in patients. Mutations in genes encoding neuroligins have been identified in ASD patients. The molecular mechanism of how neuroligins function in ASD has been investigated using mouse models. The mouse gene NL3 encodes a neurolignin. Aberrant NL3 gene function in mice results in synaptic dysfunction and a diverse range of abnormal behavior including a subset that resembles ASD patients. A striking phenotype of NL3 mutant mice is increased repetitive behavior compared to wild type/normal mice. located between two neurons (axon and dendrite). /w" The interactions of neuroligins (NLGNs) and neurexins (NRXNs) are required for synaptic There are two alleles of the mouse NL3 gene. One allele (refered as or wild type) produces NL3 protein which results in the synthesis of neuroligins for synaptic function. In contrast, the other allele (referred as “-") does not produce any NL3 mRNA (and hence no NL3 protein) resulting in an inability to produce neuroligins. Page 1 of3

Explanation / Answer

1. Gene is the unit of heredity and is both the structural and functional unit. Gene is composed of array of nucleotides called as DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) that carry information to build the protein.

Genotype is the collection of all the genes present in an individual whereas phenotype is characters that can be observed in an individual resulting from interaction of genotype and environment.

According to central dogma

DNA code for RNA and RNA code for protein

Hence, central dogma is also correct definition of a phenotype as genotype of an individual have all the information that is needed for expression of phenotype.