Biotechnology and Genomics Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 12 Biotechnology and Genomics

Biotechnology

Use of natural biological systems to create products or achieve human goals.

Genetic Engineering

Enables the modification of genomes in bacteria, plants, and animals to enhance organism traits or produce biotechnology products.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

Organisms with altered genomes, typically via recombinant DNA technology.

Transgenic Organisms

A subtype of GMO, containing genes from another species.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that contains genes from two or more sources.

Vector

A carrier DNA molecule, commonly a plasmid (circular DNA in bacteria), used to insert foreign DNA.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, creating sticky ends for foreign DNA insertion.

DNA ligase

Enzyme that seals foreign DNA into a plasmid, used in natural DNA replication.

DNA Sequencing

Determines the exact order of nucleotides in a DNA segment.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique that amplifies a specific DNA segment, producing billions of copies in hours.

Denaturation

Heating DNA to 95°C to separate it into single strands during PCR.

Annealing

Binding primers to each DNA strand at 50°-60°C during PCR.

Extension

DNA polymerase adds complementary nucleotides, forming double strands at 72°C during PCR.

STR (Short Tandem Repeat)

Short repeating DNA sequences (e.g., GATAGATA) used in modern DNA fingerprinting.

Genome Editing

Targets specific DNA sequences for removal or replacement.

Cas9 enzyme

Enzyme that cuts double-stranded DNA at specific sequences, used in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing.

Guide RNA

Directs Cas9 to the target DNA by complementary base pairing in CRISPR-Cas9.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism with a modified genome, usually via recombinant DNA technology.

Transgenic Organism

A GMO that has received a gene from another species.

Xenotransplantation

Animals with inserted genes that supply organs for human transplants.

Gene Pharming

Farm animals that produce therapeutic proteins (e.g., drugs, vaccines) in their milk.

Stem cells

Cells that retain the ability to become any other type of cell.

Reproductive Cloning

To create an organism genetically identical to the donor

Therapeutic Cloning

To produce specialized tissues or cells for medical use, not a whole organism

Embryonic stem cells

Stem cells that can become any cell type.

Adult stem cells

Stem cells that are limited to certain cell types.

Genomics

Study of all types of genomes, including genes and intergenic DNA.

Intergenic DNA

DNA that does not code for proteins

Proteomics

Includes all proteins produced by an organism's genome.

Bioinformatics

Application of computer technologies to study the genome and proteome.