Genetic Engineering

Clone

a organism which contains DNA identical to DNA of another organism

DNA polymerase

the enzyme needed to make copies of DNA

E. coli

a common bacteria used in genetic engineering

gel electrophoresis

a technique used to separate pieces of DNA based on the size of the DNA

genetic engineering

the process of manipulating DNA to make changes in a living organism

hybridization

the process of crossing dissimilar individuals to produce organisms with the best traits of both (example beefalo is a cross between buffalo and domestic cattle)

inbreeding

the process of crossing individuals which are genetically related to each other, producing offspring genetically similar to the parents (example AKC dog breeds)

plasmid

a small circular piece of DNA found naturally in bacteria

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

a technique used to make more copies of a sequence of DNA

recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different organisms

restriction enzymes

enzymes found naturally in bacteria, used to cut DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides

selective breeding

the process of crossing only the individuals with the desired traits

transformation

the process of a cell taking in a piece of foreign DNA and expressing that DNA (making proteins found on that DNA), the act of changing in form or shape or appearance

transgenic

an organism which contains genes from other species (an organism which expresses recombinant DNA)

vector

when talking about genetic engineering, a piece of DNA used to transfer foreign DNA into an organism, usually plasmids or viruses

biotechnology

the process of using technology to alter living organisms

gene therapy

the process of changing a gene to treat a medical disorder

DNA fingerprinting

a technique used to analyze restriction (DNA) fragments to compare DNA from different individuals

forensics

The scientific study of crime scene evidence

polyploid plants

Plants that are larger and stronger, they contain multiple sets of chromosomes in their cells. Can be created using certain drugs.

ligase

An enzyme used in genetic engineering, it joins pieces of DNA together.

GM foods

genetically modified foods