biotech first set of pages

These flashcards cover key concepts related to microbes, biotechnology applications, and significant historical advancements in the field.

What are microbes?

Tiny microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

What is bioprospecting?

The discovery and development of products from biological resources.

What is an example of a microbial enzyme used in applications?

Taq DNA polymerase, which is heat-stable and isolated from thermophiles.

What is the purpose of the Yeast Two Hybrid System?

To determine if two proteins interact with each other.

What is CRISPR?

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats, a prokaryotic immune system that provides acquired immunity.

What are Cas genes?

Genes located next to CRISPR sequences, crucial for the function of the CRISPR system.

What is the significance of the CRISPR/Cas9 system?

It is used for genome editing and was recognized as a biotech breakthrough by the AAAS in 2015.

Which food ingredient was the first recombinant DNA product approved by the FDA?

Chymosin, an enzyme used to make cheese.

What is fermentation?

A process of deriving energy from sugars in the absence of oxygen.

Who developed the first vaccine and which vaccine was it?

Edward Jenner developed the first vaccine using the live cowpox virus to vaccinate against smallpox.