Biotechnology and Genetic Mutations

transcription

information in DNA is copied into mRNA

translation

mRNA is decoded to synthesize a protein; tRNA brings amino acids

codon

sequence of three nucleotides in mRNA that specifies an amino acid or a stop signal during translation. they are read by the ribosome in sets of 3 bases.

mRNA

messenger RNA; carries genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis

anticodon

3 nucleotide sequence in tRNA that’s complementary to a codon on mRNA. Allows tRNA to bring the correct amino acid to the ribosome during translation.

tRNA

transfer RNA; delivers amino acid to ribosome during translation

proteins (cellular workhorses)

cellular workhorses; large complex molecules made of amino acids

mutation

permanent change in the DNA sequence of an organism. These can naturally occur during DNA replication or be caused by environmental factors

point mutations

change in one or a few nitrogen bases

chromosome mutations

change in the entire number of chromosomes or in large sections of the chromosomes

control gene

gene that regulates expression of other genes and determines the activation of a gene

sickle cell anemia

type of point mutation; genetic blood disorder caused by a mutation in the HBB gene which provides instructions for making hemoglobin (the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. changes the shape of the blood cells and can lead to blockage and pain.

entire chromosome mutations

changes the number of chromosomes in a cell

nondisjunction

process when the homologues in meiosis do not separate. This results in gametes with an abnormal number of chromosomes, which can lead to mutations/genetic disorders.

trisomy

extra chromosome (Down Syndrome)

monosomy

missing chromosome (Turner Syndrome)

pieces of chromosome mutation

change in the structure of chromosomes, affects smaller segments rather than the number of chromosomes

karyotype

visual representation of an organism’s chromosomes, displayed in pairs by size/shape

pedigree

diagram that depicts genetic relationships among individuals in a family

epigenetics

study of the tags on the DNA that affect genetic expression

DNA methylation

a methyl group is added to the DNA molecule that influences gene expression (usually silences a gene)

gene expression

process in which the info encoded in a gene’s DNA is used to produce a functional gene product, usually a protein (transcription and translation)

biotechnology

the human manipulation of living things to create products

genetic engineering

process when a gene from one species is inserted into the DNA of another

horizontal gene transfer

transfer of a gene from one species to another species

vertical gene transfer

natural transfer of genes during sexual reproduction (generation to generation)

bacterial plasmid (edit)

small circular double stranded DNA molecule

cleavage

cut the plasmid and the desired gene with DNA scissors (restriction enzyme)

restriction enzyme

DNA scissors

DNA ligase

DNA glue

transformation

the cell is now genetically changed when the rDNA is taken into the cell

cloning

when the cell reproduces creating new identical cells with exact copies of the rDNA

dolly

first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell

genetic fingerprinting

isolating and identifying variable elements of DNA in order to identify a person

GMO

genetically modified organism

transgene

new gene put into plasmids

epigenome

collection of tags on DNA for that person

rDNA

(recombinant DNA) artificial created DNA that combines genetic material from two different species