Biotechnology and DNA Technology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to biotechnology and DNA technology, focusing on definitions and important processes.

Biotechnology

The use of microorganisms, cells, or cell components to make a product.

Recombinant DNA technology

Insertion or modification of genes to produce desired proteins.

Vector

Self-replicating DNA used to carry the desired gene to a new cell.

Clone

Population of cells arising from one cell; each carries the new gene.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A method used to amplify DNA to detectable levels.

Restriction enzymes

Enzymes that cut specific sequences of DNA.

Gene gun

A device used to insert DNA-coated 'bullets' into a cell.

Gel electrophoresis

Technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size.

cDNA (Complementary DNA)

DNA synthesized from an mRNA template by reverse transcriptase.

Bioinformatics

The use of software and algorithms to understand biological data.

Transformation

A method where a bacterium takes up external DNA from its environment.

Protoplast fusion

A technique where protoplasts (cells without cell walls) are fused to combine genetic material.

Antibiotic-resistance genes

Genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, used in cloning identification.

Southern blotting

A method to detect specific DNA sequences in DNA samples.

Gene therapy

A technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.

DNA fingerprinting

A technique for identifying individuals by their unique DNA profile.

Human Genome Project

An initiative to map the entire human genome.

Random shotgun sequencing

A method of sequencing that involves randomly breaking DNA into fragments.

Gene silencing

The regulation of gene expression to turn off or reduce the expression of a gene.

E. coli

A commonly used bacterium in biotechnology for cloning and rDNA applications.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens

A bacterium used to transfer foreign genes into plant cells.

Endotoxin

Toxic substances bound to the bacterial cell wall, which may need to be removed from products.

Microbiome

The collection of microorganisms living in association with a host.

X-gal

A substrate used in blue-white screening to identify recombinant bacteria.

RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex)

A complex that leads to the degradation of mRNA in gene silencing.

Vaccines

Biological preparations that provide acquired immunity to a particular disease.

Synthetic DNA

Man-made DNA sequences created without a biological template.

Primers

Short sequences of nucleotides used to initiate DNA synthesis in PCR.

Nucleotides

Building blocks of DNA and RNA, composed of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and a phosphate group.

Real-time PCR

A PCR method that allows the quantification of DNA in real-time.

Endonuclease

An enzyme that cuts DNA at specific internal sites.

Plasmid

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that replicates independently.

Therapeutic applications

Uses of biotechnology to develop treatments for diseases.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

A widely used bacterium in recombinant DNA technology.

Mutagenesis

The process of inducing mutations to create desired traits.

DNA ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA fragments by sealing nicks in the backbone.

Genetic modification

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Microinjection

The process of injecting DNA directly into a cell using a fine needle.

Bioethics

The study of ethical issues emerging from advances in biology and medicine.

Subunit vaccines

Vaccines that include only parts of the pathogen, like proteins, to stimulate an immune response.