Biotechnology & Human Genetics Lab Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to the concepts of biotechnology and human genetics found in the lab notes.

Gel Electrophoresis

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

DNA Profiling

A technique used to identify individuals by their unique DNA sequences, also known as DNA fingerprinting.

Restriction Enzymes

Special enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences, allowing for DNA manipulation.

Phenotype

The observable physical or functional traits of an organism, determined by genotype.

Genotype

The genetic constitution of an organism, specifically the alleles it carries.

Codominance

A genetic scenario where both alleles in a heterozygote are fully expressed, resulting in offspring with a phenotype that is neither dominant nor recessive.

ABO Blood Groups

A classification of human blood based on the presence or absence of antigens A and B on red blood cells.

Agglutination

The clumping of cells, such as red blood cells, triggered by the binding of antibodies to antigens.

Alleles

Different forms of a gene that govern variations in a trait.

Rh Factor

An antigen that can be present on the surface of red blood cells, determining if blood is Rh positive or Rh negative.

What does 'homozygous' mean in genetics?

In genetics, 'homozygous' refers to having two identical alleles for a particular gene.

What does 'heterozygous' mean in genetics?

In genetics, 'heterozygous' refers to having two different alleles for a particular gene.

What are the possible genotypes for Blood Type A, including the Rh factor?

Blood Type A:

• Genotypes for A: I^A I^A, I^A i

• Rh Positive (A+):- Genotypes with homozygous dominant Rh (Rh/Rh): I^A I^A Rh/Rh, I^A i Rh/Rh

  • Genotypes with heterozygous Rh (Rh/rh): I^A I^A Rh/rh, I^A i Rh/rh

• Rh Negative (A-):- Genotypes with homozygous recessive Rh (rh/rh): I^A I^A rh/rh, I^A i rh/rh

What are the possible genotypes for Blood Type B, including the Rh factor?

Blood Type B:

• Genotypes for B: I^B I^B, I^B i

• Rh Positive (B+):- Genotypes with homozygous dominant Rh (Rh/Rh): I^B I^B Rh/Rh, I^B i Rh/Rh

  • Genotypes with heterozygous Rh (Rh/rh): I^B I^B Rh/rh, I^B i Rh/rh

• Rh Negative (B-):- Genotypes with homozygous recessive Rh (rh/rh): I^B I^B rh/rh, I^B i rh/rh

What are the possible genotypes for Blood Type AB, including the Rh factor?

Blood Type AB:

• Genotypes for AB: I^A I^B

• Rh Positive (AB+):- Genotypes with homozygous dominant Rh (Rh/Rh): I^A I^B Rh/Rh

  • Genotypes with heterozygous Rh (Rh/rh): I^A I^B Rh/rh

• Rh Negative (AB-):- Genotypes with homozygous recessive Rh (rh/rh): I^A I^B rh/rh

What are the possible genotypes for Blood Type O, including the Rh factor?

Blood Type O:

• Genotypes for O: ii

• Rh Positive (O+):- Genotypes with homozygous dominant Rh (Rh/Rh): ii Rh/Rh

  • Genotypes with heterozygous Rh (Rh/rh): ii Rh/rh

• Rh Negative (O-):- Genotypes with homozygous recessive Rh (rh/rh): ii rh/rh

What antibodies are present in Blood Type A?

Individuals with Blood Type A have anti-B antibodies in their plasma to react against B antigens.

What antibodies are present in Blood Type B?

Individuals with Blood Type B have anti-A antibodies in their plasma to react against A antigens.

What antibodies are present in Blood Type AB?

Individuals with Blood Type AB have neither anti-A nor anti-B antibodies in their plasma.

What antibodies are present in Blood Type O?

Individuals with Blood Type O have both anti-A antibodies and anti-B antibodies in their plasma.

What is an antibody?

A protein produced by the immune system in response to the presence of a foreign substance (antigen), which it neutralizes or destroys.

What is an antigen?

A substance that triggers an immune response in the body, such as bacteria, viruses, or foreign blood cell surface proteins.

What are linked genes?

Genes located close together on the same chromosome that tend to be inherited together.

What is the Law of Independent Assortment?

genes for different traits are inherited independently of one another during gamete formation