Genetic Engineering - Video Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from the genetic engineering video notes.

Genetic engineering

Manipulation, modification, and recombination of DNA or other nucleic acids to modify an organism or population.

Recombinant DNA technology

A method that combines DNA from two different sources to create new genetic instructions.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid)

Molecule carrying instructions for growth, development, and function; blueprint for building and running an organism.

Classical breeding

Mating or breeding selected organisms with desirable traits; used for thousands of years in agriculture and livestock.

Selective breeding

Choosing parents with desirable traits to pass them to offspring.

Genetic modification

Altering an organism's genes to achieve desired traits; can occur via selective breeding or direct DNA changes.

Recombinant DNA technology (overview)

Direct manipulation of DNA in a lab to assemble new genetic combinations.

Crossbreeding

Mating of whole organisms to combine traits in offspring.

Direct manipulation of DNA in a lab

Techniques that alter DNA outside the organism under controlled conditions.

Speed in breeding methods

Classical breeding is slow; recombinant DNA changes can occur in a single step.

Precision in genetic modification

Classical breeding is not exact; recombinant DNA is highly precise and targets specific genes.

Genes used in classical breeding

Uses genes from the same or closely related species.

Genes used in recombinant DNA

Can use genes from any species, including across kingdoms.

Example: larger corn from crossbreeding

Breeding two corn plants to obtain bigger, improved kernels.

Example: pest resistance via recombinant DNA

Inserting a bacterial gene into corn to confer pest resistance.

Bt corn

Genetically modified corn containing Bacillus thuringiensis genes producing insecticidal proteins.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

A bacterium whose genes make proteins toxic to certain pests.

Genetically Modified Plant

Plant that has new genes introduced through recombinant DNA techniques.

Bt eggplant

Eggplant engineered with Bt gene to resist fruit and shoot borer.

Non-Bt eggplant

Eggplant lacking Bt trait.

Golden Rice

Genetically engineered rice producing beta-carotene to address Vitamin A deficiency.

Beta-carotene

A precursor to Vitamin A found in plants.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD)

Health deficiency that can be addressed by beta-carotene in foods.

Plasmid

Circular DNA molecule in bacteria used as a vector to carry genes into cells.

Restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sequences.

DNA ligase

Enzyme that joins DNA fragments to form continuous molecules.

Okazaki fragments

Short DNA fragments synthesized on the lagging strand during DNA replication.

Gene of interest

The specific gene isolated for insertion into another DNA molecule.

Step 1 isolate gene and plasmid

Isolate the gene of interest and a plasmid to use as a vector.

Step 2 cut with restriction enzymes

Enzymes that cut both DNA sources at specific sites to produce compatible ends.

Step 3 join DNA with ligase

DNA ligase seals the two DNA pieces together to form recombinant DNA.

Step 4 transform bacteria

Introduce recombinant plasmid into bacterial cells for propagation.

Step 5 transfer to other organisms

Isolate engineered DNA and introduce it into other organisms to express the desired trait.