Gene Control and Cloning

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to gene control, cloning, and biotechnology, providing definitions and explanations for each term.

Gene Expression

The overall process by which genetic information flows from genes to proteins, influencing phenotype.

Gene Regulation

The process of turning genes on and off to help organisms respond to environmental changes.

Operon

A cluster of related genes in prokaryotes controlled together by regulatory proteins.

Differentiation

The process by which cells develop into distinct types, becoming specialized in structure and function.

Histones

Small proteins around which DNA winds in a eukaryotic chromosome, forming nucleosomes.

DNA Methylation

A chemical modification that can turn genes off by adding methyl groups to DNA bases.

Reproductive Cloning

A type of cloning that results in the birth of a new living individual through nuclear transplantation.

Therapeutic Cloning

The goal of producing embryonic stem cells for medical purposes.

Proto-oncogene

A normal gene that, when mutated, becomes an oncogene and may lead to excessive cell division.

Carcinogen

An agent that alters DNA and makes cells cancerous.

DNA Profiling

The analysis of DNA markers to determine if two samples are from the same individual.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA molecules by size, charge, or other physical properties.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, forming restriction fragments.

Transgenic Organism

An organism that has acquired one or more genes by artificial means from another species.

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Short repetitive DNA sequences that are used as genetic markers in DNA profiling.

Alternative RNA Splicing

A process that generates multiple mRNA types from the same transcript, leading to different proteins.