Question

define these words base on Virology

functional clustering of genetic functions

Cis and trans

Initiation codon

Termination codon

Nonsense codon

Reading frame/frameshift

Answer 1

Functional clustering of genetic functions: It is a computational technique which is used to group samples with similar genetic functions. For diseases, the common molecular basis of a disease along with its heritability is determinedby clustering the gene products which are similar in function and are associated with the disease.

Cis and trans: These are elements which are associated with the viral replications. Cis regulatory elements essentialy means acting from the same molecule i.e intramolecular while trans regulatory elements means acting from thedifferent molecule i.e intermolecular.

Initiation codon: It is the first codon of a messenger RNA transcript which is translated by a ribosome. AUG is the initiation codon in prokaryotes. It essentially codes for methionine.

Termination codon: It is a nucleotide triplet within the messenger RNA that signals termination of translation into proteins. Examples iclude UAA etc.

Nonsense codon; This is a codon for which no tRNA molecule exists. It causes termination of translation. Mutations in the nonsense codon caused by diseases result in the formation of a non-functional gene product.

Reading frame: It is a way of dividing the nucleotides in such a way such that three successive nucleotides constitute the codons for amino acids encoded by DNA.