Q4CC - Campbell Biology

Question

In Concept 20.2, you learned about genome-wide association studies. Explain how these studies use the systems biology approach.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The system biology approach is utilized in genome-wide association studies or GWAS; disease (like type 2 diabetes and heart disease) correlation with SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) is identified by analyzing the genomes of people.

Genetics

The term genetics refers to an organism's genetic property, which determines the genes or heritable characteristics that are passed across generations.

 

The genetic applications include agriculture, animal breeding, living organisms' utilization in biotechnology for goods production, insulin production, and mapping disease gene.

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)

When genomic differences occur within nucleic acid molecules like DNA due to the substitution of a single nucleotide in between a genome, it is known as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).

 

Examples of diseases caused by point mutation like SNPs or single nucleotide polymorphisms are sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, breast cancer, Crohn's disease, and Alzheimer's.

Genome-wide association study (GWAS)

The term GWAS (genome-wide association study) refers to an observational study in which single-nucleotide polymorphisms are detected to identify its relation with disease affecting people.

 

Examples of diseases in GWAS are obesity, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, Crohn's disease, heart disease, and prostate cancer.

 

The GWAS approach examines the difference in the DNA sequence that causes disease in several people.