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vocabulary adenine admixture mapping or mapping allele Ancestry Informative Marker (AIM) antecedent anthropology autosome base base-pair base sequence biogeography chromosome clades complementary sequences cytosine demography DNA DYS double helix enzyme ethnic exogamous endogamous gene genetic genealogy genetics genome genome projects guanine haplotype haplotype diversity haplogroup heredity heterogeneous homogeneous junk DNA locus (pl. loci) marker microsatellite mitochondrial DNA MRCA mtDNA multiplexing mutation mutation rate nucleic acid nucleotide nucleus PCR pharmacogenomics polarized polymorphism population restriction enzyme sequencing sex chromosomes Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP; pronounced snip) STR marker thymine transmission event Y-chromosome adenine Designated by the letter A, it is a purine base. One of the four base molecules present in DNA. A method of screening the human genome that relies on a quantification of population structure within as well as between individuals. We call DNAPrint’s platform of proprietary genomic maps and algorithms ADMIXMAP. One of several forms of a gene that can exist at a single location (marker) on a chromosome. When STR's are measured on the Y-chromosome, this corresponds to a different number of repeat units. For example, for DYS19 where TAGA is the repeat unit, different alleles could be 13, 14, 15 repeats of the TAGA unit etc. AIMs are the subset of genetic markers that are different in allele frequencies across the populations of the world. Most polymorphism is shared among all populations and for most loci the most common allele is the same in each population. An ancestry informative marker is a unique set of genetic markers that occurs mostly in particular founder population sets but may also be found in varying levels across all or some of the populations found in different parts of the world. A preceding event, condition, or cause. The conditional element in a proposition.Used herein to denote individuals that came before. The science of human beings; especially : the study of human beings in relation to distribution, origin, classification, and relationship of groups or clades or families, physical character, environmental and social relations, and culture. A chromosome not involved in sex determination. The human genome consists of 46 chromosomes, 22 pairs of autosomes (numbered 1-22), and one pair of sex chromosomes (the X and Y chromosomes). In DNA, this can be either adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) or thymine (T). They are derived from either purine or pyrimidine. Two complementary bases joined by hydrogen bonds usually as part of the DNA molecule; base-pairing occurs between (purines and pyrimidines) i.e. between A and T and between G and C. The order of nucleotide bases in a DNA molecule e.g AGTACGTA etc. A science that deals with the geographical distribution of animals and plants. The structure by which hereditary information is physically transmitted from one generation to the next. Humans have a total of 46, found in the nucleus of each cell.Each chromosome is formed when the DNA strand combines with lots of small proteins called histones. The DNA and histones automatically wrap themselves up into a shape that looks like an elongated letter X. An anthropology term used to describe a group of individuals, families, tribes or sub set populations that have originated from a foundation population and have branched out. The four major clades are sub Saharan African, Native American, Indo European and East Asian. DNA is made up of two long strands connected together along the middle (a bit like a zip), where bases on one strand are bonded to bases on the other side. Designated by the letter C, it is a pyrimidine base. One of the four base molecules present in DNA. The statistical study of human populations especially with reference to size and density, distribution, and vital statistics. DeoxyRibonucleic Acid. The genetic material of organisms, usually double-stranded; a class of nucleic acids identified by the presence of phosphate, deoxyribose (a sugar), and the four bases. Often forms the familiar double-helix. Within DNA are the code-words needed to form proteins, although much of the DNA is termed 'junk DNA' and has no known function. D = DNA: Y = Chromosome; S = Single copy sequence. The DYS numbering scheme (e.g. DYS388, DYS390) for the Y-STR haplotype markers are controlled and administered by an international standards body called HUGO - Human Gene Nomenclature Committee - based at University College, London. The familiar shape that two linear strands of DNA with complementary sequences assume when bonded together. A protein that can speed up a specific chemical reaction without being changed or consumed in the process. Of or relating to large groups of people classed according to common racial, national, tribal, religious, linguistic, or cultural origin or background. Marriage outside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law. Meant herein to refer to admixture from outside of a group. Marriage inside of a specific group especially as required by custom or law. Meant herein to refer to admixture from inside a group. The basic unit of heredity; a sequence of DNA nucleotides on a chromosome. The new field of family history research utilising the Y-chromosome and mtDNA to prove or disprove biological connections. The Y-chromosome links the strictly paternal line (father to son), whilst mtDNA links the mother to offspring line (mother to sons and daughters). The study of the patterns of inheritance of specific traits. All the genetic material in the chromosomes of a particular organism; its size is generally given as the total number of base-pairs. In humans, 46 chromosomes make up the genome, with a total of 3 billion bases pairs of approx. 2 metres in length packaged into a tiny nucleus. Research and technology development efforts aimed at mapping and sequencing some or all of the genome of an organism. The improvements and lower cost of technology that genome projects have brought make possible the new field of genetic genealogy for genealogists. Designated by the letter G, it is a purine base. One of the four base molecules present in DNA. Your Y-DNA haplotype is a set of 21 numbers (if using 21 STR markers), each number representing your allele at a given STR marker. Two or more haplotypes may be compared as a check for a genetic relationship. A measure of the uniqueness of a particular haplotype in a given population. Haplogroups are large groups that can be used to define genetic populations and are often geographically orientated. For example, when the Y-chromosome is tested, many males who live along the western coasts of Europe belong to Haplogroup R1b (used to be called HG1), which belies the historical movement of males along that coast. The transmission of characteristics (hair colour, facial features, genetic disorders etc.) from one generation to the next. Consisting of dissimilar or diverse ingredients or constituents. Of uniform structure or composition throughout. Most of the DNA in our bodies is termed ‘junk DNA’. It is non-coding (isn’t used for making proteins) and thus does not control medical function but is probably involved in genomic organization. Genetic genealogy only looks at the markers within junk DNA and thus the Y-DNA test cannot derive any medical information. Latin for place. See marker. Also called a Locus (pl. loci). A gene of a known location on a chromosome. See STR marker. The DNA Heritage Y-DNA test uses 21 STR markers. See STR marker mtDNA - The circular DNA contained inside the mitochondria. The mitochondria are small organelles residing in animal cells which provide the power to the cell. They occupy about one-fifth of each cell. The mtDNA is passed from mother to her offspring (both sons and daughters), but only the daughter will pass it on. The Most Common Recent Ancestor between two people. For example, for two 1st cousins, their shared grandparent is the MRCA. If the cousins were both boys, they would share their grandfather’s Y-chromosome. See Mitochondrial DNA. Used in the PCR method, it utilises a ‘cocktail’ of chemicals so that many different markers (or loci) may be copied and tagged at the same time. Any inheritable change in DNA sequence. Mutations usually occur as a result of miscopying by cell enzymes. Because the Y-chromosome has relatively few regions that control genetic function and is mostly ‘junk-DNA’, mutations in this 'junk DNA' cause no adverse effects and can therefore occur quite frequently. The estimated rate of mutational change is estimated to be approximately one mutation per 500 transmission events (0.2%) for any given STR marker. Using 21 different markers, it is reasonable to expect one mutation every 24 transmission events. However, these changes are random and thus can take place at any time. DNA and RNA are both nucleic acids. They are long polymer structures made up of nucleotides. A single unit of nucleic acid. In DNA they are composed of phosphate, deoxyribose (a sugar), and either a purine (for adenine and guanine) or pyrimidine (for cytosine and thymine) base. The central structure of a cell that contains the genetic material. Polymerase chain reaction - A process carried out in a test tube that produces millions of copies of small sections of DNA. Using a heat resistant enzyme (DNA polymerase) and a mixture of other chemicals, cycles of hot and cold temperatures essentially photocopy a particular marker (or locus) of the DNA many times. Pharmacogenomics is the testing of individuals to predict their genetic pre-disposition to drug response. The field of study looks at how genetic variations among the population affect drug response. It involves the analysis of genomic data to develop a screening process for more efficient clinical trials and molecular diagnostic tests used to determine individualized drug responses. It also looks at how a new targeted drug therapy could be developed using genomic data and analysis. To break up into opposing factions or groupings. Used herein to refer to uneven BioGeographical Ancestry admixture results such as 95% East Asian/5% Native American as opposed to a relatively even mix such as 50%/50%. The property of having more than one state or alternate sequence at a particular position. The alternate states are called alleles. A group of individuals residing in a given area at a given time. A protein that recognizes specific, short nucleotide sequences and cuts DNA at those sites. Bacteria contain over 400 such enzymes that recognize and cut over 100 DNA sequences. Snake venoms are sometimes also used. Determination of the order of nucleotides (base sequence) in a DNA or RNA molecule or the order of amino acids in a protein. X and Y-chromosomes - Chromosomes involved in sex determination. Females have two X chromosomes, males have one X and one Y-chromosome. The Y-chromosome is thus only found in males. A precise base pair position where different people are found to vary in sequence. Generally two alternate alleles are found at a particular SNP. At least 2,000,000 SNPs are now known and there may be over 30,000,000 in the human genome. Short Tandem Repeats marker - A stretch of DNA where a small base sequence (usu. 2-6 base-pairs) repeats itself several times, giving a particular allele. For example, at the STR marker DYS391, the base sequence may read TCTA TCTA TCTA TCTA TCTA TCTA TCTA TCTA where TCTA is repeated eight times. Designated by the letter T, it is a pyrimidine base. One of the four base molecules present in DNA. The birth of a baby boy i.e. the effective passing on of the Y-chromosome. The sex chromosome that instructs a foetus to grow into a baby boy. It is passed down from generation to generation only through the male line i.e. from father to son, father to son, etc. It is approx. 60 million base-pairs long. |
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