Exam Study Guide

Map distance

The distance between genes measured by recombination frequency (RF).

Karyotype

A visual representation of the number and appearance of chromosomes in a cell, used to identify chromosomal variants.

Restriction enzymes

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences, used in recombinant DNA technology.

Aneuploidies

Variations in chromosome number resulting in extra or missing single chromosomes.

Polyploidies

Conditions where a cell has more than two paired (homologous) sets of chromosomes.

Competent cells

Cells that have the ability to take up DNA from their environment, enhancing the efficacy of transformation.

Lytic cycle

The viral life cycle where the virus infects a host cell, replicates, and then lyses the cell to release new virions.

Semiconservative replication

The mechanism of DNA replication where each daughter molecule contains one original and one new strand of DNA.

Exonuclease activity

The ability of DNA polymerases to remove nucleotides from the ends of a DNA strand for proofreading and repair.

End Replication Problem

Issues faced during DNA replication on linear chromosomes leading to potential loss of DNA at the ends.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template, involving RNA polymerase and ribonucleotide triphosphates.

Sigma factor

A protein that binds to RNA polymerase and helps it recognize and bind to specific promoter sequences during transcription.

Translocation

A chromosomal variant where segments of one chromosome are moved to another chromosome, potentially leading to genetic disorders.

Origin of replication

The specific location on the DNA where replication begins, marked by the binding of initiator proteins.

Gel electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size by applying an electric field to a gel.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A method used to amplify a specific segment of DNA through repeated cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension.

Transposons

Sequences of DNA that can move or 'jump' to different positions within the genome.

Promoter regions

DNA sequences that facilitate the binding of RNA polymerase and the initiation of transcription.

Rho-independent terminators

Sequences in bacterial DNA that rely on the formation of a hairpin loop to terminate transcription.