Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
(
Zhang et al., 2011
). Transposable bits of code can make changes in regulatory
DNA (
Mikkelson et al., 2007
). The fact that similar sections of non-coding
DNA occur in many species indicates its important function. Changes in
non-coding DNA during environmental changes cause stickleback fish to adapt
by changing traits, such as body shape, skeletal armor or the ability to live in
salt or fresh water (
Hockstra, 2012
). Sections of non-coding regulatory DNA
evolve and change along with the coding DNA (
Jones et al., 2012
). Studies in
other animals also show a role for non-coding DNA mutations in the develop-
ment of domestic animals (
Anderson, 2012
).
Exome
The exome is the DNA sequencing of all the protein-coding regions of the
genome. The non-coding DNA is left out of the exome.
RNA Transcriptome
The RNA trancriptome is theDNA code that is read and transcribed by RNA.
Sequencing the genome indicates that the animal's genome contains a particular
piece of genetic code. The transcriptome indicates whether or not the code was
transcribed by RNA and expressed as either a protein or involved in regulatory
functions.
De Novo
Mutations
De novo mutations are random mutations that are not inherited. Common
de novo mutations are CNVs, SNPs, and other changes in DNA code.
Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs)
QTLs are regions of DNA containing many nucleotide base pairs associated
with continuous traits such as height or temperament. QTLs are not associated
with simple discreet Mendelian traits such as hair and eye color. QTLs are
associated with phenotypic traits influenced by many genes (polygenic).
Haplotypes
Haplotypes are a group of genes linked together and inherited as a group.
Epigenetics
An animal's DNA may contain a certain sequence of genetic code, but it may
be locked out by epigenetic mechanisms. Environmental influences can either
lock out sections of code or unlock them. For example, epigenetic mechanisms
either upregulate (make more anxious) or downregulate the nervous system
of rodents depending on how much the pregnant mother was stressed, or how
often a rodent is attacked by another rodent (
Nestler, 2011, 2012
).
Search WWH ::
Custom Search