Genome Evolution and Brain Development

The video explores the differences in chromosome organization between humans and other great apes, highlighting the fusion of human chromosome 2. It discusses genomic inversions and duplications, particularly focusing on the SRGAP2 gene family, which plays a crucial role in brain development. The SRGAP2C gene, resulting from duplications, accelerates synapse formation, potentially impacting human brain evolution. The timing of these duplications coincides with significant evolutionary milestones, such as the development of stone tools and increased brain size in early humans.

What is the main difference in chromosome organization between humans and other great apes?

• Great apes have a fusion of chromosomes that humans do not.

• Humans and great apes have identical chromosome organization.

• Human chromosome 2 is a fusion of two separate chromosomes in great apes.

• Humans have more chromosomes than great apes.

What is the estimated amount of sequence included in various inversions and deletions in the human genome?

• 90 Mb

• 70 Mb

• 110 Mb

• 50 Mb

What is one of the main mechanisms of genome evolution discussed in the video?

• Gene fusion

• Genomic segment duplication

• Chromosome deletion

• Gene inversion

How many copies of the SRGAP2 gene are found in the human genome?

• Five

• Four

• Three

• Two

What effect does the SRGAP2C gene have on synapse formation?

• It accelerates synapse formation.

• It has no effect on synapse formation.

• It decreases synapse formation.

• It prevents synapse formation.

What is the significance of the SRGAP2C gene in terms of brain evolution?

• It had no impact on brain evolution.

• It decreased brain size.

• It increased synapse formation, enhancing brain connectivity.

• It caused brain degeneration.

What is the role of the original SRGAP2A gene in the brain?

• It promotes synapse formation.

• It destroys synapses.

• It prevents synapse formation.

• It has no role in synapse formation.

When did the first duplication of the SRGAP2 gene, creating SRGAP2B, occur?

• 1.4 million years ago

• 2.4 million years ago

• 3.4 million years ago

• 4.4 million years ago

What evolutionary milestone coincides with the second duplication of the SRGAP2 gene?

• The first use of fire

• The domestication of animals

• The creation of the first stone tools

• The development of agriculture

What is the relationship between synapse formation and computing power in the brain?

• More synapses have no effect on computing power.

• More synapses decrease computing power.

• More synapses increase computing power.

• More synapses destroy computing power.