HOSA 2024 Prep: Biotechnology Flashcards

genome

all genes contained in the DNA of human cells

fermentation

process where some strains of yeast decompose sugars to derive energy, and in the process ethanol is produced as a waste product

antibiotics

substances produced by microorganisms that will inhibit the growth of other microorganisms

recombinant DNA technology

used to produce many proteins of medical importance including insulin, human growth hormone, and blood-clotting factors

recombinant proteins

produced by gene-cloning techniques involving the transfer genes from one organism to another

gene therapy

an approach to employ the treatment and cure for human disease conditions

pathogens

organisms that cause disease

symbionts

organisms that live in intimate contact with their host to mutually benefit both

bacteria

large group of unicellular organisms that scientists loosely group as Gram-negative and Gram-positive

archaea

group of unicellular organisms that evolved along with bacteria; thrive in very hot or acidic conditions

eukaryotic microorganisms

structurally diverse group that includes protists, algae and fungi that have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles

protists

eukaryotes that cannot be classified as animals, plants, or fungi

virus

smaller than bacteria and not alive on their own- they must infect a host to survive because they lack the machinery to produce proteins and catalyze reactions themselves

metabolism

how an organism gets energy from its environment and the waste it produces as a result

genotype

the genetic makeup of a microbial stain

phenotype

the observable traits of a microbe due to the constellation of genes and environmental factors

plant transgenesis

the direct transfer of genes to plants- allows for innovations impossible to achieve with conventional hybridization

protoplast fusion

protoplast can be fused with another protoplast from a different species, creating a cell that can grow into a hybrid plant

Ti plasmid

plasmid that triggers an uncontrolled growth of cells (tumor) in the plant

crown gall

the resulting tumor from the Ti plasmid, where it's common in trees or bushes

monocot

plants that cannot be infected by Agrobacter

dicot

good candidates for the Agrobacter process such as tomatoes, potatoes, apples and soybeans

leaf fragment technique

a method used to put the vehicle for transferring DNA into use

gene gun

propels genes on surface of metal particles into cells

avidin

protein in egg whites that binds biotin and inhibits bacterial growth

glyphosate

an enzyme in plant photosynthesis and growth; blocks ESPs

golden rice

genetically engineered rice with high vitamin A content

protoplast

a naked plant cell- helps grow hybrid plants

functional genomics

genetic sequencing analysis of genes during cellular event

polygalacturonase

enzyme that digests tissue, causing rotting; pectin disassembly in ripening fruit

antisense molecule

complementary to telomerase mRNA

BRCA1

a gene found in 65% of human breast tumors that is similar to the one in dogs

embryo twinning

the first stop toward cloning- splitting the embryos in half

enucleation

a pipette gently suctions out the DNA congregated in the nucleus of the egg

knock-out

genetically engineered so that a specific gene is disrupted

myeloma

antibody secreting tumors for the production of useful antibodies

phase testing

safety testing that involves rigorously following specific methodology (baby steps)

retrovirus-mediated transgenesis

accomplished by infecting mouse embryos with retroviruses before embryos are implanted. the retrovirus acts as a vector for the new DNA

pronuclear microinjection

a method that introduces the transgene DNA at the earliest possible stage of development of the zygote

embryonic stem cell method of transgenesis

embryonic stem cells are collected from the inner mass of blastocysts and mixed with DNA, which has usually been created using recombinant DNA methods

sperm-mediated transfer

a method that uses "linker proteins" to attach DNA to sperm cells, because when the sperm fertilizes the egg, it carries the valuable genes along with it

xenotransplantation

the use of organs from other species, some of which may have been more suitable through the use of transgenesis

bioreactor

vessel or container in which living cells or their products are used to make a product

what unique characteristics plant cells is useful in biotech?

many can regenerate from a single cell

Bt gene

a gene that creates a built-in defense against certain insects

what are the 3 R's of animal research?

replacement, reduction, refinement

hybridomas

the resulting fused cells after the procedure for producing monoclonal antibodies

exergonic

energy that exits the system

endergonic

energy that enters the system

entropy

a measure of the disorder of a system

exothermic

liberates heat

endothermic

the input of heat

kinetic energy

movement of molecules

potential energy

the energy stored in chemical bonds

microbe

an organism invisible to the naked eye, especially one that causes disease

molecular pharming

the use of plants as sources of pharmaceutical products in agricultural biotech

antibodies

protective proteins that recognize and help body cells destroy foreign materials/ improve immunity

transgenic animals

animals that contain genes from another source

how was Dolly the sheep cloned?

cell nucleus transfer process

DNA fingerprinting

collection of methods for detecting an organism's unique DNA pattern

e. coli

a food-borne pathogen in contaminated meat

bioremediation

the use of biotech to process and degrade a variety of natural and manmade substances, particularly those that contribute to environmental pollution