Manipulating Genomes

Flashcards for exam prep

What is Satellite DNA?

Non-coding parts of DNA, such as introns, telomeres, and centromeres, which contain repeat sequences of DNA.

What are VNTRs?

Variable number tandem repeats, repeating satellites.

What are STRs?

Short tandem repeats, microsatellite, a smaller region of bases repeating fewer times.

What is a Primer?

Short section of DNA that stimulates DNA polymerase action.

What are ddNTPs?

Dideoxidised nucleotides, termination bases, have a hydrogen instead of hydroxyl so additional bonds cannot be formed.

What is High Throughput Sequencing?

Any method of determining the sequence of DNA or genome in a short space of time (e.g., pyrosequencing).

What is Sanger Sequencing?

A method of DNA sequencing involving DNA removal from cells, PCR copying/fragmentation, primer annealing, DNA polymerase adding nucleotides, and gel electrophoresis separation after ddNTP termination.

What is Pyrosequencing?

A method of DNA sequencing involving DNA fragmentation, ssDNA degradation, sequencing primers/enzyme-substrate addition, nucleotide addition, PPi release, ATP conversion, luciferin conversion, and light detection.

What was the Human Genome Project?

A project started in 1990 and finished in 2003 that aimed to sequence the entire human genome.

How similar are human genes to chimpanzees?

99% gene similarity, evidence of evolution by high conservation of useful genes.

What applications are there for gene sequencing?

Comparing genomes of species allows for analysis of phylogeny. DNA from extinct animals can be amplified and sequenced to verify the animal’s evolutionary history.

What are SNPs?

Single nucleotide polymorphisms, places where substitutions occur on DNA, which allows for us to be 0.1% different to everyone else, some have no effect and others alter proteins, others alter regulation of expression.

What is Synthetic Biology?

Designing and building useful biological resources and systems, including biotech, evolutionary biology, molecular biology, systems biology and biophysics.

What is DNA Profiling?

A method of identifying individuals by locating tandem repeats of DNA, discovered by Alec Jeffreys.

What happens during a DNA Profiling Procedure?

DNA is digested with restriction endonucleases, the fragments are separated by gel electrophoresis and stained. Add DNA probes to add fragments as bands and comparing the banding pattern with another individual's (50% similarities between parent and child)

What are some applications of DNA Profiling?

Identify Nazi war criminals hiding in South America, Identify the remains of the Romanov family, etc.

What is PCR?

A process that relies on: DNA is made of 2 antiparallel strands, each strand has a 3’ and 5’ end, base pairs are complementary.

What are some differences between PCR and DNA replication?

Only short sequences can be replicated not entire chromosomes, Requires the addition of primers,Requires a cycle of heating and cooling to separate, blind and replicate, DNA replication produces just 2 new double strands from 1, while PCR increases exponentially with each cycle

What are the steps of PCR?

Mix DNA sample with DNA nucleotides, primers, Magnesium ions, and Taq. polymerase, Heat the mixture to 95 to break the hydrogen bonds and to denature double strands into single strands. Cool the mixture to 68 to allow the primers to anneal at the strand ends, etc.

What are the Applications of PCR?

Tissue typing for donors and recipients, Detection of oncogenes (genes that stimulate cell division) to tailor medication for a patient.