Biotechnology Flashcards

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to biotechnology, including recombinant DNA technology, PCR, gene cloning, applications in agriculture and medicine, and ethical considerations.

Biotechnology

A revolutionary field that merges biology with technology to develop innovative solutions for a wide range of applications.

DNA Technology

The development of DNA sequencing and other techniques for manipulating DNA.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes.

Bioprocess Engineering

Maintenance of sterile ambiance in chemical engineering processes to grow only the desired microbe/eukaryotic cell in large quantities to manufacture biotechnological products.

DNA Sequencing

Exploiting the principle of complementary base pairing to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of a DNA molecule.

DNA Cloning

Methods to isolate a segment of DNA carrying that gene and make multiple copies of it.

Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules that are replicated separately from a bacterial chromosome.

Recombinant DNA molecule

A molecule containing DNA from two different sources, very often different species.

Restriction Endonucleases

Enzymes that cut DNA molecules by recognizing a specific DNA sequence called the recognition sequence.

Exonucleases

Enzymes that remove nucleotides from the ends of the DNA.

Endonucleases

Enzymes that make cuts at specific positions within the DNA.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate the fragments formed as a result of the cutting of DNA by restriction endonucleases.

SDS-PAGE Electrophoresis

Separates proteins based on molecular weight using SDS, which denatures proteins and gives them a uniform negative charge.

Elution

The extraction of the separated bands of DNA from the gel piece by cutting it out from the agarose gel.

Origin of Replication (ori)

Sequence from where replication starts and any piece of DNA, when linked to this sequence, can be made to replicate within the host cells.

Selectable Marker

Helps in identifying and eliminating non-transformants and selectively permitting the growth of transformants.

Insertional Inactivation

Inactivation of a gene by inserting a recombinant DNA within the coding sequence for the synthesis of an enzyme.

Competent Cells

Cells that take up DNA from the extracellular medium.

Micro-injection

Recombinant DNA is directly injected into the nucleus of an animal cell.

Biolistics/Gene Gun

Cells are bombarded with high-velocity micro-particles of gold or tungsten coated with DNA.

Expression Vector

A cloning vector that contains a highly active bacterial promoter just upstream of a restriction site where the eukaryotic gene can be inserted in the correct reading frame.

Electroporation

A brief electrical pulse applied to a solution containing cells creates temporary holes in their plasma membranes, through which DNA can enter.

Lysozyme/Cellulase/Chitinase Use

Breaking the cell open to isolate genetic material.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique that can make billions of copies of a specific target DNA segment in a sample.

Taq Polymerase

It was the key to automating PCR and is an unusual heat-stable DNA polymerase enzyme.

Recombinant Protein

A heterologous protein expressed from a foreign gene.

Bioreactors

Vessels in which raw materials are biologically converted into specific products, individual enzymes, etc., using microbial plant, animal or human cells.

Downstream Processing

After completion of the biosynthetic stage, the product has to be subjected through a series of processes before it is ready for marketing as a finished product.

Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Allows a researcher to produce a mutation at a specific site within a cloned DNA segment.

Reverse Transcriptase PCR

PCR is also used to detect and quantitate the amount of specific RNAs in living cells

In Situ Hybridization

It allows us to see the mRNA in place in the intact organism

Biotechnological Applications in Agriculture

Genetic modification has made crops more tolerant to abiotic stresses and enhanced nutritional value of food.

Somatic Hybridization

Involves the fusion of protoplasts from different plant species to create hybrid plants with combined desirable traits.

Somaclones

Plants derived from somatic cells that have undergone genetic changes during tissue culture.

Totipotency

Ability of plant cells to dedifferentiate into meristematic cells and regenerate into whole plants under appropriate conditions.

Meristem Culture

Culturing meristematic tissues from plants under sterile conditions to produce virus-free clones or propagate elite genotypes.

Bt Cotton

Produce proteins that kill certain insects.

RNA Interference (RNAi)

Silencing of a specific mRNA due to a complementary dsRNA molecule that binds to and prevents translation of the mRNA

Genetically Engineered Insulin

Insulin produced through genetic engineering for managing diabetes.

Transgene

A gene that has been transferred into one organism from another.

Genetic Profile

The individual's unique set of genetic markers.

Gene Therapy

The introduction of genes into an afflicted individual for therapeutic purposes.

Molecular Diagnosis

A technique that serves the purpose of early diagnosis

Uses of Transgenic Animals

Transgenic animals that are genetically engineered to produce valuable biological substances

Personal Genome Analysis

Offer kits allowing individuals to send in a swab containing cheek cells that the company will analyze genetically.

Personalized Medicine

A type of medical care in which each person's specific genetic profile can provide information for which the person is especially at risk and help make health-care decisions.

Pharmacogenetics

Genetic profile - currently taken to mean a set of genetic markers such as SNPs.

Biopiracy

Refers to the exploitation of biological resources or traditional knowledge by multinational companies and organizations without proper authorization or compensation

GEAC

The genetic engineering approval committee.

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)

Transgenic organisms, which incorporate genes from other species or variants of the same species.

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

A technology that combines DNA from different organisms to create genetic modifications