DNA Technology

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in DNA Technology.

Cloning

The process of creating identical copies of a biological entity.

Plasmid Vectors

DNA molecules used to transport foreign genetic material into another cell.

Restriction Enzymes

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences.

Transformation

The introduction of foreign DNA into a host cell.

Antibiotic Resistance

The ability of bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics.

Blue/White Screening

A method to identify recombinant plasmids based on the color of colonies.

DNA Sequencing

Determining the exact sequence of nucleotides in a DNA molecule.

cDNA Library

A collection of cDNA clones derived from the mRNA of a cell.

Genomic Library

A collection of DNA fragments that represent the entire genome of an organism.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence.

qPCR

Quantitative PCR, a method for measuring the amount of DNA in a sample.

Hybridization

The process of base pairing between complementary DNA or RNA strands.

Southern Blotting

A method to detect specific DNA sequences in DNA samples.

Northern Blotting

A technique used to study RNA.

Western Blotting

A method used to detect specific proteins in a sample.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA fragments together.

Endonuclease

An enzyme that cuts within a DNA strand.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been artificially created by combining DNA from different sources.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has been genetically modified to contain DNA from a different species.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new DNA strands during replication.

Intron

Non-coding regions of a gene that are transcribed but not translated.

Exon

Coding segments of a gene that are expressed as proteins.

Reverse Transcriptase

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA from RNA.

Oligo-dT Primer

A primer used to synthesize cDNA from mRNA.

Dideoxyribonucleotide (ddNTP)

A nucleotide that terminates DNA synthesis when incorporated.

Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay (EMSA)

A technique used to study protein-DNA interactions.

DNA Footprinting

A method to identify DNA regions bound by proteins.

LacZ Gene

Gene used for screening recombinant DNA in blue/white screenings.

Single-Strand Binding Protein (SSB)

A protein that binds to single-stranded DNA and prevents it from re-annealing.

Thermostable Polymerase

An enzyme that can withstand high temperatures, such as Taq polymerase.

Ampicillin Resistance (ampR)

A gene used to select for cells that have taken up a plasmid containing it.

FRET (Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer)

A technique to study interactions between biological molecules.

Gene Cloning

The process of making multiple identical copies of a gene.

DNA Template

A strand of DNA that serves as a pattern for replication or synthesis.

Amplification

The process of increasing the number of copies of a specific DNA sequence.

Molecular Probe

A labeled segment of DNA or RNA used to detect specific sequences.

Antibody

A protein produced by the immune system that binds specifically to antigens.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression.

CRISPR

A genome editing technology that allows for precise modifications.

Mutagenesis

The process by which the genetic information of an organism is changed.

Eukaryotic Cells

Cells that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.

Prokaryotic Cells

Cells that do not have a nucleus or other membrane-bound organelles.

Phenotype

The observable traits or characteristics of an organism.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism.

Bioinformatics

The application of computer technology to manage biological data.

Proteomics

The study of the structure and function of proteins.

Transcriptomics

The study of the complete set of RNA transcripts produced by the genome.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genes.

Sanger Sequencing

A method for determining the nucleotide sequence of DNA.

Template DNA

The original DNA strand used as a basis for replication.

Sample Testing

The process of analyzing samples to detect or measure specific substances.

RNA Extraction

The process of isolating RNA from cells.

Poly-A Tail

A stretch of adenine nucleotides added to the 3' end of mRNA.

DNA Primer

A short strand of nucleotides that provides a starting point for DNA synthesis.

Cycling Conditions

The specific temperature and time settings used during PCR cycles.

Template Strand

The strand of DNA that serves as a guide for synthesizing a new strand.

Sequencing Reaction

A process where nucleotides are added to a growing DNA strand during sequencing.

DNA Amplification

The process of producing multiple copies of a DNA segment.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA, RNA, or proteins based on their size.

Bioethics

The study of ethical issues in the life sciences.

Synthetic Biology

An interdisciplinary field that involves redesigning organisms for useful purposes.

Viral Vector

A virus modified to deliver genetic material into cells.

Signal Amplification

Increases the detectable signal in a molecular reaction.

Detection Limit

The smallest quantity of a substance that can be reliably detected.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Biosafety

A discipline that aims to protect humans and the environment from biological hazards.

Taq DNA Polymerase

A heat-stable enzyme used in PCR.

Buffer

A solution that resists changes in pH, used in various biological experiments.

DNA Sequence

The order of nucleotides in a DNA strand.

Experimental Controls

Conditions kept constant to ensure that the effects of variables can be measured.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and base.

Base Pairing

The specific pairing of nucleotides in DNA (A-T, C-G) or RNA (A-U, C-G).

Template-Driven Synthesis

The process by which a new DNA strand is synthesized based on an existing template.

SDS-PAGE

A method for separating proteins based on their molecular weight.

Chromosomal DNA

DNA that is organized into a chromosome within the cell.

Cell Line

A permanent cell culture created from a single cell type.

Cultured Cells

Cells grown under controlled conditions outside their natural environment.

RNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes RNA from a DNA template.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product.

Agarose

A gel-like substance used in electrophoresis to separate nucleic acids.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that regulate the transcription of specific genes.

Nanotechnology

The manipulation of matter on an atomic or molecular scale.

Affinity Chromatography

A method for separating biomolecules based on their specific interactions.

Gene Therapy

An experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.

Microarray

A tool used to study the expression of many genes at once.

Transgenic Plants

Plants that contain a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted instead of the plant acquiring them through pollination.

RNA-Seq

A technique to analyze the transcriptome using high-throughput sequencing.

Functional Genomics

The study of gene functions and interactions.

Transgenic Animals

Animals that have been genetically modified to carry genes from other species.

Synthetic RNA

Artificially constructed RNA used in research or therapeutic applications.

Bioengineering

The application of engineering principles to biological systems.

Cell Transformation

The genetic alteration of a cell resulting from the uptake and expression of foreign genetic material.