Study Guide Exam 3: Recombinant DNA Technology & Microbial Genomics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to recombinant DNA technology, microbial genomics, and their applications in microbiology and immunology, as identified in the lecture notes.

Biotechnology

Use of living organisms to create products that are useful to humans.

Genetic engineering

The deliberate modification of an organism's genome sequence.

Recombinant DNA technology

Set of procedures used to combine genetic material from multiple sources and create DNA sequences not found in biological organisms.

Cloning

Generation of a larger number of identical DNA molecules from a single DNA molecule.

Restriction enzymes

A type of endonuclease that allows scientists to cut up DNA at specific sites.

Sticky ends

Single-stranded DNA sequences produced by staggered cuts made by restriction enzymes.

Ligase

The enzyme that forms covalent bonds between the cloned gene and the plasmid, creating recombinant DNA.

Reverse transcriptase

An enzyme that synthesizes double-stranded DNA from a single-stranded RNA template.

Gel electrophoresis

A technique that separates nucleic acids and proteins based on their size and electrical charge.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique for quickly making many copies of even a very small amount of DNA.

Taq polymerase

A heat-stable DNA polymerase derived from the thermophilic bacterium Thermus aquaticus.

Transformation

The uptake of naked DNA from the environment into a bacterial host.

Electroporation

A technique that makes cells competent to take up DNA by applying an electrical shock.

Genomic library

A collection of an organism's entire genomic DNA.

Functional genomics

The study of the function of genes.

Transcriptome

The entire set of mRNA transcripts expressed by a genome.

Metagenomics

The study of metagenomes, genetic material recovered from environmental samples.

RNA-Seq

A method developed to analyze the transcriptome and overcome issues with microarray analysis.

Bioinformatics

The study of the genome using computer technology.

Synteny

Study of the order of orthologous genes in the genome.

Pathogens

Microbes that cause disease.

Pathogenicity

The ability of a parasite to cause infectious disease.

Exotoxin

A toxin that is secreted by bacteria; most commonly found in gram-positive bacteria.

Endotoxin

A toxin embedded in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria.

Virulence factors

Substances produced by pathogens that enhance their ability to cause disease.

Infectious disease

A harmful infection by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa or helminths.

Symptoms

Subjective changes experienced by the patient that cannot be observed by an outsider.

Signs

Objective, observable changes in the body resulting from disease.

Hematopoiesis

The production of blood cells, occurring in the bone marrow.