BIMM 110 Molecular Basis of Human Disease

TA: George Chen gtchen@ucsd.edu

OH: Tu 12:30-1:30 Sierra Summit or by appointment
Section: W 4:00-4:50 Center 203

Problem Set 7
Announcements:
• HAPPY SUN GOD!
• To those considering requesting regrades – please go to a TA's office hours to discuss
your answers prior to turning in your request. Please email me to let me know if you
want to meet with me so I can be sure to be available.
• This problem set covers lecture 12 and 13.

1. Some scientists have suggested that the Turkish handwalkers quadrapedalism is strongly
influenced by environment. How did the scientists change the environment of the handwalkers
and what were the results?

2. What did genetic comparisons of the FOXP2 gene reveal about the development of language
in Homo sapiens?

3. Physiologically, what separates chimpanzee hand-walking from the Turkish handwalkers?

Does this difference exist in Australopithecus afarensis?

4. Researchers have narrowed down the location of the bipedal gene to a single chromosome.
Which chromosome is this? Describe a procedure that the researchers would now follow to find
the more specific location of the gene.
5. What is the significance of the ASPN gene?

6. Describe how Knudsen developed his two-hit hypothesis.

7. While many cancers involve tumor development and metastasis, leukemias do not. Why?

8. Why are retroviruses a risky mechanism for gene therapy?

9. Why do most cancers originate from a single abnormal cell?

10. What are some of the normal cell functions typically controlled by proto-oncogenes?