PBS 4.3 Quiz

HDL (High Density Lipoprotein)

A cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood, made up of cholesterol and other lipids surrounded by a single layer of phospholipids in which proteins are embedded. An HDL particle carries less cholesterol than a related lipoprotein, LDL, and may be correlated with a decreased risk of blood vessel blockage.

LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein)

A cholesterol-carrying particle in the blood, made up of cholesterol and other lipids surrounded by a single layer of phospholipids in which proteins are embedded. An LDL particle carries more cholesterol than a related lipoprotein, HDL, and high LDL levels in the blood correlate with a tendency to develop blocked blood vessels and heart disease.

Restriction Enzyme

A degradative enzyme that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences and cuts up DNA.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A laboratory technique for amplifying DNA in vitro by incubating with special primers, DNA polymerase molecules, and nucleotides.

Cholesterol

A lipid that forms an essential component of animal cell membranes and acts as a precursor molecule for the synthesis of other biologically important steroids.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia

A metabolic disorder that is caused by defective or absent receptors for LDLs on cell surfaces, that is marked by an increase in blood plasma LDLs and by an accumulation of LDLs in the body resulting in an increased risk of heart attack and coronary heart disease, and that is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Mutation

A rare change in the DNA of a gene, ultimately creating genetic diversity.

Genotype

All or part of the genetic constitution of an individual or group.

Allele

Alternative versions of a gene that produce distinguishable phenotypic effects.

Atherosclerosis

Changes in the walls of large arteries consisting of lipid deposits on the artery walls.

A person's blood pressure will raise, because there is limited room for the blood to flow.

Discuss the impact that blocked vessels have on blood pressure. How would this impact overall health?

I think Erin's total cholesterol is so much higher than others in her family because she does not have a normal DNA sample, but instead she only has the FH control, meaning that she is the only one with a FF. Therefore, her cholesterol is so much higher than the others in her family who has familial hypercholesterolemia (considering if she does live a healthy lifestyle).

Erin is only 17 years old and her total cholesterol is 600 mg/dL. Why do you think her cholesterol is so much higher than the others in her family who have familial hypercholesterolemia?

can cause heart failure -causes muscles in heart to get bigger, causing blood vessels to shrink, decreasing blood flow -can cause heart attacks due to coronary artery blockages

Explain how atherosclerosis can impact the heart itself. What happens if plaque blocks blood flow in the coronary arteries?

Cholesterol levels could be linked due to the concentration of HDL and LDL. With high levels of LDL, the arteries can begin to clog, leading to heart disease, strokes, and heart attacks. With high levels of HDL, the HDL can remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, and lower the risk of such health events

Explain how cholesterol levels could be linked to health events such as strokes and heart attacks.

Cholesterol plays an important role in the endocrine system and the digestive system. Cholesterol is used in the synthesis of bile acids, which break down food in the digestive system. Cholesterol is also the precursor of pregnenolone, the precursor of all steroid hormones. So without cholesterol, the steroid hormones would not be made

Explain how cholesterol plays an important role in at least two different human body systems.

The class of medications called statins works to lower cholesterol levels in the blood by blocking the production of cholesterol in the body. This class of medications reduces the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and total cholesterol in the blood. Lower cholesterol levels help to prevent heart disease and plaque buildup in the arteries and help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Explain how the class of medications called statins works to lower cholesterol levels in the body.

The use of restriction fragment length polymorphisms to diagnosis genetic disease differs from its use in forensic investigations because DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) are used for diagnosis of genetic disease in families known to be affected by specific disorders, but RFLPs can be also useful for the differential diagnosis of hereditary disease. An RFLP pattern represents the inheritance of chromosomal markers in a family, and such a pattern may be compatible with the inheritance of a certain disorder in that family. On the other hand, in forensic investigations, it has also been admitted as physical evidence in the investigation of crimes such as assault, sexual assault, and homicide.

Explain how the use of Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms to diagnosis genetic disease differs from its use in forensic investigations.

You could determine which individuals were heterozygous by looking at the gel since they would also have a normal DNA sample as well as a FH control.

Explain how you could determine which individuals were heterozygous by looking at the gel.

I determined the genotype of Maria based on her children since two of them were affected and one of them were not, thus she must be a Ff since her husband was not affected, and they had an unaffected son, so she must have one small f and since two daughters, Juanita and Anna were affected, she must also have a big F. In addition, Juanita must be a Ff since her daughter, Erin, was affected and has a FF, but her mother, Maria had a Ff, and her father had a ff, thus she couldn't be a FF or a ff. Therefore, she is also a Ff.

Explain how you determined the genotype of Maria and Juanita, even though you did not test their DNA.

-cholesterol can buildup in arteries = atherosclerosis -will harden arteries and plaque formation, causing blockages -will decrease blood flow

Explain the relationship between cholesterol and atherosclerosis. How does atherosclerosis impact blood flow? Use the results of your experiment to help explain your answer.

Heterozygous

Having two different alleles for a given gene.

Homozygous

Having two identical alleles for a given gene.

Diet, Stress, Smoking, Physical Activity, and Weight management can all affect cholesterol levels. Diet can either be positive or negative depending on what the person is eating. If the diet is low in trans and saturated fats then the effects will be positive, and if the diet is high in trans and saturated fats then the effects are negative because it increases the "bad cholesterol" LDL. Lots of stress can be negative on a person's health, and have many effects. Long periods of stress can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which can damage artery walls. Smoking is very negative on a person's health, not only does it damage the lungs, but leads to a higher risk of developing chronic disorders such as buildup in the arteries, which can lead to heart disease. Physical Activity can be positive to a person's health, while it boosts mental wellness, it also decreases the risk of cancer, heart disease, and blood pressure. Physical activity can also raise levels of HDL, which is good for the body. Finally weight management, if the person is obese, that alone is a major risk factor for heart disease¸ and with the diet eaten to get to such a weight, involves high amounts of LDL.

List five factors or behaviors that affect cholesterol levels in the body, how these factors affect cholesterol levels, and whether the effect is positive or negative with regards to a person's health.

Phenotype

The physical and physiological traits of an organism that are determined by its genetic makeup.

The pros of using cholesterol-lowering drugs is it lowers the risk of heart disease and other associated diseases, while also mildly affecting and raising HDL and triglyceride count. While these may be positive things, there are many side effects for these drugs. They may be mild side effects or even rare afflictions, but they are still there, such as damage to the liver and muscle problems. In the end the pros outweigh the cons due to the small damage and rareness of side effects of the medication.

What do you feel are the pros and cons of using cholesterol-lowering drugs to treat high cholesterol?

DNA has a negative charge.

Why did the DNA migrate to the positive pole of the electrophoresis chamber? In your response, discuss the chemical structure of DNA.