Di4PR1&2
1. Pedigree is a chart in the form of a diagram that shows the inheritance of a trait or a health condition through family generations. Thus, it shows the family members' relationship and sometimes indicates the person with the characteristic of interest if the information is available.
2. Autosomal recessive is where the trait or condition gene is recessive and is on non-sex chromosomes. In contrast, autosomal dominant is where a trait or disease condition gene is on the X chromosome (Martin et al., 2019). Therefore, autosomal dominant traits are passed from one parent to the child, whereas autosomal recessive characteristics are passed from both parents to the child. Examples of X-lined diseases of autosomal dominants include Hemophilia, Color blindness, and Huntington's disease. Autosomal recessive conditions include sickle-cell anemia and cystic fibrosis (Martin et al., 2019).
3. Gene therapy is the genes' introduction into existing cells to prevent or cure various diseases. The Human Project gene, on the other hand, is a project that locates and sequences all the genes that exist in the human DNA. The project is often aimed at learning more about hereditary diseases and knowing which genes can help during gene therapy.
4. Genetic testing is vital since individual genes are one of the main factors that influence the effectiveness of the medication; hence genetic tests are aimed at helping psychiatrists identify and select the appropriate antipsychotic drugs aligned with their genetic makeup.
5. According to Suchan et al. (2022), clinical studies have revealed that neuropeptide Y regulates stress and coping. The neuropeptide counteracts the stress and anxiety behavioral consequences, which results in the maintenance of emotional homeostasis. Consequently, they are involved with psychological functions that comprise thermoregulation, social cognition, sex, and sleep (Suchan et al., 2022).
6. DNA duplication entails a mutation whereby one or more DNA copy segments are produced. This DNA copies segments can be small bases or significant, for instance, a central region. Thus, the amount of the DNA in the nucleus gets doubled during the duplication process.
7. Transcription is the process of copying of gene’s DNA sequence to produce an RNA molecule, and translation is the process in which there is a synthesis of proteins following the process of DNA and RNA transcription in the nucleus of the cells. Transcription happens in the nucleus, whereas translation occurs in the cytoplasm. Transcription produces functional DNA, while translation produces enzymes.
8. Mutation is any change that occur in the DNA nucleotide sequence and this results in production of something different. Hence, mutation in the DNA occurs due to any form of error in the genetic sequence, and this can either be due to deletion or insertion, and this leads to the creation of permanent change to the nucleotide of the gene sequence DNA. These changes can result in the production of faulty proteins and psychological functions, leading to cell death or illness. DNA mutations are permanent and thus can be passed from generation to generation.
9. Since Single Nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are found between DNA genes, they function as biological markers and help scientists select the genes that cause diseases. When the SNPs are located within the gene, they play a direct role in illnesses by affecting the functions of the gene.
10. According to Westrhenen et al. (2020), antidepressants work on the genes by increasing the monoaminergic neurotransmission and blocking monoamine reuptake, while antipsychotic reduces the neurotransmission of mesolimbic dopaminergic by receptors blockage. These effects are responsible for the favorable feeling of the treatment. Also, studies show that there is a relationship between the heritability of therapeutic outcomes of psychotropic drugs
11. A teratogen is anything an individual is exposed to or ingests while pregnant, which can cause a fetal abnormality (Sachdeva et al., 2022). Some of the teratogenic medications in psychiatry include lithium, valproic acid, and Tegretol (Carbamazepine. These medications are used in the treatment of the bipolar disorder. Category X is the Schedule of drugs contradicted during pregnancy, including lithium for bipolar disorders and Dilantin for seizures.
12. DNA segments that consist of specific protein codes that function in various types of cells of the body are called genes, whereas structures in cells that are made up of a person's genes are chromosomes. Genes are thus contained in the chromosomes.
DNA is a double-stranded molecule, while a single-stranded molecule is RNA. Consequently, RNA contains a ribose sugar, whereas DNA contains deoxyribose sugar, a type of sugar lacking one oxygen atom.
Genotype is a person's unique DNA sequence, while phenotype is the detectable expression of this genotype, often presented through clinical manifestation.
Messenger RNA molecules carry coding sequences for the protein synthesis, i.e., transcript, while ribosomal RNA molecules form the foundation of the cell's ribosomes. Transport RNA molecules transport amino acids to the ribosomes.
A single gene is responsible for determining a single trait in monogenic inheritance, whereas multifactorial involves environment and genetic interactions that produce a particular characteristic. Polygenic inheritance involves more than two genes that determine a specific character.