HOSA Biotechnology test key terms

Ai generated

Recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

Plasmid

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

Restriction Enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides (molecular scissors)

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that chemically links DNA fragments together (molecular glue)

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to make millions of copies of a specific DNA segment

Taq Polymerase

A heat-stable enzyme used in PCR to synthesize new DNA strands; it does not break down at high temperatures

Denaturation

The first step of PCR (95°C) where heat separates the double-stranded DNA

Annealing

The second step of PCR (~55°C) where primers attach to the target DNA sequences

Extension

The third step of PCR (72°C) where Taq polymerase adds nucleotides to build the new DNA strands

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA fragments based on their size and charge

DNA Charge

Negative (which is why it moves toward the positive/red electrode)

Micropipette

A tool used to measure and transfer very small volumes of liquid (measured in microliters)

Centrifuge

A machine that spins samples rapidly to separate substances by density (must be balanced)

Autoclave

A machine that uses high pressure and steam to sterilize equipment

Central Dogma

The directional flow of genetic information: DNA -> RNA -> Protein

Transcription

The process of copying a segment of DNA into mRNA (occurs in the nucleus)

Translation

The process of decoding mRNA to build a protein (occurs at the ribosome)

Heat Shock

The step in bacterial transformation (Ice -> 42°C -> Ice) that opens bacterial pores to let plasmids enter

Ampicillin

An antibiotic used in transformation labs to kill bacteria that did not take up the plasmid

Arabinose

The sugar added to nutrient plates to turn on (induce) the glowing GFP gene

Supernatant

The liquid lying above a solid residue after centrifugation

Pellet

The solid sediment at the bottom of a tube after centrifugatio