Gene Technology and Recombinant DNA

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts in gene technology and recombinant DNA.

Recombinant DNA technology

Recombinant DNA technology (genetic engineering) is the manipulation and combination of DNA molecules from different organisms to express desired traits or produce specific proteins.

What are the main steps in recombinant DNA technology using insulin production?

1. Gene Isolation: mRNA for insulin is reverse transcribed to cDNA.

2. Cutting DNA: Restriction endonucleases cut the cDNA and plasmid.

3. Ligation: Ligase joins the human gene and plasmid.

4. Insertion: Plasmid is inserted into host cells (e.g., bacteria).

5. Multiplication: Transformed bacteria multiply and produce insulin.

Restriction endonucleases

These enzymes cut DNA at specific sequences (restriction sites), producing sticky ends which allow the insertion of genes into vectors.

What does DNA ligase do in recombinant DNA technology?

Ligase fuses the sugar-phosphate backbones of DNA fragments, forming phosphodiester bonds to create recombinant DNA.

Sticky ends and their importance

Sticky ends are short, unpaired bases at the ends of DNA fragments that allow complementary pairing, facilitating gene insertion.

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)

An organism that has been artificially manipulated to express new traits through genetic engineering.

Give one example of a genetically modified organism (GMO).

Bt maize — a crop modified with a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis to resist insect pests.

What is gene therapy?

It is the technique of introducing normal genes into a patient’s genome to treat or prevent disease, like inserting a working gene for cystic fibrosis into lung cells.

How is cystic fibrosis treated using gene therapy?

Liposomes or viruses carry the healthy gene to lung cells, where it integrates and produces the missing protein to relieve symptoms.