|
Lecturer(s)
|
-
Doležel Jaroslav, prof. Ing. DrSc.
|
|
Course content
|
Subject of study. Cell nucleus, its organization, amount of nuclear DNA, C-value, variability in nuclear DNA amounts, C-value enigma, changes in nuclear DNA contents during evolution, biological significance of non-coding DNA. Methods for estimation of nuclear DNA amounts, cytometric techniques, flow cytometry. Organization of eukaryotic chromosomes, centromere, centromere types, kinetochore, neocentromere. Telomere. Secondary constriction, nucleolar dominance. Methods for chromosomes analysis, chromosome banding, molecular cytogenetics, in situ hybridization, genomic in situ hybridization, chromosome painting, comparative genomic hybridization, PCR in situ. Chromosome morphology, karyotype, idiogram, karyogram. Various types of chromosomes, their function and evolution. A chromosomes, B chromosomes, microchromosomes, sex chromosomes. Genetic recombination. Meiosis, chromosome pairing, role of heterochromatin, chiasma formation, synaptonemal complex, crossing over. Variants of cell cycle, endoreduplication, endomitotis, polysomaty. Polytene chromosomes. Biological significance of modified cell cycles. Selective amplification of DNA. Selective elimination of DNA. Changes in chromosome number, euploidy, aneuploidy. Haploidy, diploidy, polyploidy. Mechanisms of chromosome number changes. Impact of chromosome number changes on fertility. Polyploidy in animals and plants. Evolution of polyploid genomes. Structural chromosome changes, clastogens. Kinetics of induction of chromosome aberrations, mechanisms of their formation, their classification. Distribution of aberrations in chromosomes and genomes. Methods for analysis of chromosome aberrations. Biological significance of aberrations. The role of changes of chromosome number and structure in the formation of reproductive barriers and speciation. Hybrid speciation, clonal complex, agamic complex. Heterogamic complex, polyploid complex, homogamic complex. Practice: Light microscopy. The analysis of mitosis, Feulgen reaction, preparation of permanent slides, chromosomes of a model plant, Vicia faba, cytological methods in taxonomy. The analysis of meiosis. Staining of meiotic preparations using orcein and carmine. Chromosome banding, C-banding, Q-banding, N-banding. SCE technique and its use. Methods of animal cytogenetics. Staining of feather pulp, staining of testes and brain ganglia in Erystalis tenax. Methods of human cytogenetics.
|
|
Learning activities and teaching methods
|
Lecture, Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Observation, Laboratory Work
- Attendace
- 24 hours per semester
- Homework for Teaching
- 24 hours per semester
|
|
Learning outcomes
|
The aim of the course is to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and evolution of the cell nucleus and chromosomes, emphasizing the mechanisms of genome alterations and their significance for cytotaxonomy and speciation. Graduates will acquire deep theoretical knowledge of both classical and modern molecular cytogenetic methods, enabling them to independently apply these techniques to karyotype analysis and the study of genome size variability.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: - Describe the structure and properties of eukaryotic chromosomes.Identify chromosome types within a karyotype. - Characterize cytogenetic methods used in the study of plant, animal, and human cells. - Explain the role of chromosomes in the formation of reproductive barriers. - Select appropriate cytogenetic methods for addressing taxonomic questions. - Interpret cytogenetic data. - Critically evaluate scientific articles in the fields of cytogenetics and cytotaxonomy.
|
|
Prerequisites
|
The prerequisite for this course is a basic knowledge of cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology, focusing on cell structure and the principles of heredity. A background in evolutionary biology and systematics is an advantage.
|
|
Assessment methods and criteria
|
Oral exam, Essay, Student performance
Exam: oral exam - three randomly chosen questions Practise: 1. attendance on the practicals, elaboration of protocols 2. written essay on chosen topic and its presentation 3. test
|
|
Recommended literature
|
-
Kočárek E., Pánek M., Novotná D. (2006). Klinická cytogenetika I.. Skriptum UK 2. LF, Karolinum, Praha.
-
Leitch, I. J., Greilhuber, J., Doležal, J., & Wendel, J. F. (2013). Plant genome diversity. Wien.
-
Levin, D.A. (2002). The Role of Chromosomal Change in Plant Evolution. Oxford.
-
Macgregor, H.C. An Introduction to Animal Cytogenetics. Chapman & Hall, London, 1993..
-
McKinlay Gardner, R.J., Sutherland, G.R. (2004). Chromosome Abnormalities and Genetic Counseling. Oxford.
-
Therman, E., Susman, M. Human Chromosomes, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1993.
|