CSHS Munson Biology - Biotechnology

biotechnology

The manipulation of living organisms or their components to produce useful products.

DNA fingerprint

The results of gel electrophoresis of an individual's DNA that can be used to identify a person at the molecular level

gel electrophoresis

Procedure used to separate and analyze DNA fragments by placing a mixture of DNA fragments at one end of a porous gel and applying an electrical voltage to the gel

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A method of producing thousands of copies of DNA segment using the enzyme TAq polymerase, free nucleotides, and a thermocycler to control temperature

restriction enzymes

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

sticky ends

Single stranded ends of DNA left after cutting with restriction enzymes

palindromic sequence

Nucleic acid sequence: read the same 5'-3' as complementary 3'-5'

Genomics

study of whole genomes, including genes and their functions

DNA sequencing

Determining the exact order of the base pairs in a segment of DNA.

gene cloning

the production of multiple copies of a single gene

reproductive cloning

The cloning of organisms with the goal of planting the blastula produced by the technique into the uterus of an adult female and thus creating a new organism.

somatic cell nuclear transfer

moving a cell nucleus and its genetic material from a somatic cell to an "empty" egg cell

Recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

Plasmid

A small ring of DNA that carries accessory genes separate from those of the bacterial chromosome

DNA ligase

enzyme that bonds DNA fragments together

surrogate mother

a female who carries child to term for another

genetically modified organisms (GMO)

Plants & animals that have had their traits modified by scientists

transgenic organism

an organism that contains genes from another species