DNA Technologies Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to DNA Technologies as discussed in the lecture.

DNA Cloning

Creation of identical copies of a piece of DNA.

Recombinant DNA

Artificially created DNA that combines sequences that do not occur together in nature.

Cloning Vector

A DNA molecule used to carry foreign DNA into a host cell for replication and expression.

Plasmids

Circular DNA molecules that replicate autonomously and can carry genes for antibiotic resistance.

BAC (Bacterial Artificial Chromosome)

A cloning vector that can clone large DNA fragments, up to 300,000 base pairs.

YAC (Yeast Artificial Chromosome)

A cloning vector used to clone large fragments of DNA in yeast cells.

Restriction Endonucleases

Enzymes that cleave DNA at specific sequences.

Sticky Ends

Overhanging ends of DNA fragments created by staggered cuts made by restriction enzymes.

Blunt Ends

Straight ends of DNA fragments after cuts made by certain restriction enzymes.

DNA Ligase

Enzyme that covalently joins two DNA fragments together.

Propagation

The process of growing and replicating transformed host cells to produce copies of recombinant DNA.

Electrophoresis

Technique used to separate DNA fragments based on size as they migrate through a gel under an electric field.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences in vitro.

Oligonucleotide

A short sequence of nucleotides that serves as a primer in PCR.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms that contain a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted instead of the plant or animal acquiring them through reproduction.

Gene Expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product, typically proteins.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

A method used to create specific, targeted changes in a DNA sequence.

Affinity Purification

A technique used to isolate a protein of interest by using a tag that binds to a specific resin.

Gene Therapy

A technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease.

DNA Microarray

A technology used to study the expression of many genes at once by hybridizing cDNA to complementary DNA fragments on a chip.

cDNA (complementary DNA)

DNA synthesized from an RNA template by reverse transcription.

Quantitative PCR (qPCR)

A variation of PCR that allows for the quantitative measurement of DNA.

SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms)

Variations at a single position in a DNA sequence among individuals.

Haplotypes

Groups of genes within an organism that are inherited together from a single parent.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that help regulate the transcription of DNA to mRNA.

Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP)

A protein that exhibits bright green fluorescence when exposed to light in the blue to ultraviolet range.

Immunofluorescence

A technique that uses fluorescently labeled antibodies to visualize proteins in cells.

Gene Cloning

The process of making multiple copies of a specific DNA segment.

Microinjection

A technique for introducing foreign DNA into a host cell by mechanically injecting it.

Transformation

The process of introducing foreign DNA into a host organism.

Reporter Gene

A gene that researchers attach to a regulatory sequence of another gene of interest in bacteria or eukaryotic cells.

Electroporation

A technique to introduce DNA into cells using an electrical field to increase the permeability of the cell membrane.

Vector

A carrier DNA molecule used to deliver genetic material into a host cell.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of an organism's genome using biotechnology techniques.

Thermostable DNA polymerase

An enzyme that is stable at high temperatures and is essential for PCR.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Genes that provide resistance to antibiotics, often used in selecting transformed bacterial cells.