Lab Exam Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for the lab exam study guide.

Spectrophotometer

Measures light absorbance to infer concentration changes.

Catalase/Amylase

Typical enzymes used in the Enzyme Lab.

Plasmid DNA

Contains the gene of interest (e.g., GFP) and a selectable marker (antibiotic resistance).

Antibiotic (e.g., Ampicillin)

Selects for transformed cells in bacterial transformation.

Arabinose Sugar

Induces expression of the GFP gene in bacterial transformation.

CaCl₂

Makes bacterial cell membranes more permeable (competent cells).

Heat Shock

Facilitates DNA uptake in bacterial transformation.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Amplifies specific DNA sequences.

Primers

Short DNA sequences that target a specific gene in PCR.

DNA Polymerase (e.g., Taq polymerase)

Enzyme used in PCR to synthesize new DNA strands.

dNTPs

Nucleotides used as building blocks for DNA synthesis in PCR.

Thermocycler

Machine used to control temperature cycles in PCR.

Gel Electrophoresis

Separates DNA fragments by size.

Agarose Gel

Medium used to separate DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis.

Buffer (e.g., TAE)

Provides ions to conduct electricity and maintain pH in gel electrophoresis.

Molecular marker (ladder)

Used to determine the size of DNA fragments in gel electrophoresis.