Biotechnology Chapter 4 BioRad

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

Organism whose genome has been modified by genetic engineering.

Genetic engineering

Process of making changes in the DNA code of living organisms

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

sticky ends

the uneven ends of a double-stranded DNA molecule that has been cut with a restriction enzyme

blunt ends

the even ends of a double stranded DNA molecule that is cut with a restriction enzyme

plasmids

Circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently of the main chromosomes of bacteria

DNA ligase

enzyme that chemically links DNA fragments together

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to create multiple copies of a piece of DNA

denature

to unravel the shape of a protein or other large biological molecule

Gel Electrophoresis

Method of separating various lengths of DNA strands by applying an electrical current to a gel

DNA profiling (DNA fingerprinting)

A procedure that analyzes DNA fragments to determine whether they come from a specific individual.

Ligation

The joining of nucleotides or DNA together

RFLP analysis

A common method of DNA fingerprinting, the comparison set of restriction fragments produced by DNA from individuals

restriction enzymes

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

Gel Comb

Used to make the wells in the gel

Gel Box

container with a gel tray and electrodes used to separate molecules

Power Supply

Supplies power and runs up to 2 to 4 gel eletrophoresis chambers

gel electrophoresis process

DNA fragments are cut up, DNA fragments are then put into the gel, electric current is ran through the gel, organizing the DNA fragments from smallest to largest

the slight negative charge of DNA reacts with the positive electric current, with the DNA organized, it is then put back together in a easier way to be analyzed

DNA

A complex molecule containing the genetic information that makes up the chromosomes.

Nucleotide

monomer of nucleic acids made up of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base

Anode

Positive electrode

Cathode

Negative electrode

Linear

straight line

Plasmid

small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria

Micropipette

A laboratory instrument used to measure, dispense, and transfer very small amounts of liquid.

Enzymes

Catalysts for chemical reactions in living things

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

DNA -> RNA -> Protein

anti-parallel

the double helix is __________________ because it runs 5' -3' and 3' -> 5'.

EcoRI and HindIII are

restriction endonucleases

endonuclease

An enzyme that cleaves its nucleic acid substrate at internal sites in the nucleotide sequence.

1X TAE buffer

conduct electric current

Bacteriophage

kind of virus that infects bacteria

NEBcutter

Software used to determine a restriction map / fragments

Lambda DNA

Medium size E. coli bacteriophage. This DNA has 48,502 base pairs and is linear

Karyotype

A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape.

semi-log graph

one axis is linear, the other is logarithmic

DNA marker/ladder

known sized fragments of DNA used to determine the sizes of other pieces of DNA on a gel

Best fit line graph

A graph that shows an average, a trend, or a pattern in the data

DNA fragments

Pieces of DNA strand cut by restriction enzymes

Agarose

a carbohydrate from seaweed that is widely used as a medium for horizontal gel electrophoresis

Chromosomes

threadlike structures made of DNA molecules that contain the genes

Centromere

Area where the chromatids of a chromosome are attached

Trisomy

3 copies of a chromosome

Monosomy

missing a chromosome

translocation chromosomal mutation

a mutation that occurs when part of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to a different chromosome