Biology2e-OP-1105-CH17

Selective Breeding

A process where organisms with desired traits are mated to produce offspring with those traits.

Gene Editing

A technique that allows scientists to alter an organism's DNA at specific locations in the genome.

Comparison of Selective Breeding and Gene Editing

Selective breeding is a slow process relying on natural reproduction, while gene editing allows precise alterations to an organism's genome instantly.

Endogenous DNA Replication Enzymes

Enzymes naturally found in cells that assist in copying and repairing DNA, which can be utilized in gene editing to introduce changes.

Molecular Cloning Steps

Involves inserting DNA of interest into a vector, transforming the vector into host cells, and selecting transformed cells for further propagation.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique that amplifies specific DNA segments through repeated cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method to separate DNA fragments based on size by running them through a gel matrix in an electric field.

CRISPR/Cas9 System

A revolutionary gene-editing tool that uses a guide RNA to direct the Cas9 nuclease to a specific sequence of DNA for modification.

Potential Impacts of Gene Editing

Gene editing has significant implications for medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation, as well as ethical considerations and ecological risks.

Genetic Map

An overview of a genome based on the linkage of genetic markers, utilizing recombination frequencies to show the relative distances between genes.

Physical Map

Precise measurements of the physical distance between genes, expressed in base pairs, allowing high accuracy in gene location.

Chain Termination Method

A classical DNA sequencing technique that terminates the chain at specific nucleotide bases to construct the DNA sequence.

Shotgun Sequencing

A method involving fragmenting DNA and reassembling sequences, providing high-throughput capabilities for rapid genome analysis.

Ethical Considerations in Genomics

Implications related to privacy, consent, data security, and the potential misuse of genetic knowledge.

Proteomics

The large-scale study of proteins, crucial for understanding biological functions, interactions, and roles in disease.