DNA Technologies Review

A set of 30 vocabulary flashcards derived from lecture notes on DNA technologies, covering essential concepts, terms, and definitions relevant to molecular biology and genetics.

DNA Cloning

The creation of identical copies of a piece of DNA or an organism.

Recombinant DNA

Artificially created DNA that combines sequences that do not occur together in nature.

Cloning Vector

A DNA molecule used to transport foreign genetic material into a cell.

Eukaryotic Chromosome

The DNA structure within a eukaryotic cell that contains genes and regulatory elements.

Restriction Endonucleases

Enzymes that cleave DNA at specific sequences.

Sticky Ends

DNA fragments with single-stranded overhangs created by staggered cuts from restriction enzymes.

Blunt Ends

DNA fragments that are straight cuts with no overhangs made by restriction enzymes.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that covalently joins two DNA fragments.

Plasmids

Circular DNA molecules that replicate independently of the bacterial chromosome.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, used for selecting transformed bacteria.

Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC)

A vector used to clone DNA fragments up to 300,000 base pairs.

Yeast Artificial Chromosome (YAC)

A vector used to clone DNA in yeast cells.

DNA Amplification

The process of making multiple copies of a specific DNA segment.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences.

Thermostable DNA Polymerase

DNA polymerase that is stable at high temperatures used in PCR.

Short Tandem Repeats (STR)

Repeated sequences of DNA used in DNA fingerprinting.

cDNA

Complementary DNA synthesized from an mRNA template.

Expression Vectors

Plasmids that contain sequences allowing the transcription of inserted genes.

Mutagenesis

The process of inducing mutations in a specific gene.

Separation of DNA by Electrophoresis

A method for separating DNA fragments based on size using an electric field.

DNA Microarrays

Tools used to analyze gene expression by hybridizing cDNA to a grid of DNA probes.

Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR)

A type of PCR used to quantify DNA or RNA levels.

Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR)

A technique to amplify RNA sequences by converting them into DNA.

Gene Expression Analysis

The study of the transcription levels of genes.

Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP)

A method to isolate protein complexes through two purification steps.

SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)

Variations in a single nucleotide in the genome that can be used for genetic diversity.

The Human Genome Project

An international research project aimed at mapping all the genes of the human genome.

Haplotypes

A combination of alleles at neighboring loci on a chromosome that are transmitted together.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms that have been genetically modified to contain genes from other species.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies genes to treat or prevent diseases.

Protein-Protein Interaction

The physical interaction between two or more proteins.