Embryonic Stem Cells and Genetic Biology

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms from the lecture notes on embryonic stem cells, DNA damage and repair, CRISPR technology, and basic genetic biology concepts.

Totipotent

A cell that can develop into any type of cell, including all tissue types and an entire organism.

Pluripotent

A cell that can become any cell type except for extraembryonic tissues, such as the placenta.

Multipotent

A cell that can develop into multiple cell types within a particular lineage.

Unipotent

A cell that can only become one specific cell type.

Chromatin

The complex of DNA and proteins in the nucleus that packages DNA into a compact, dense shape.

DNA Damage

Physically harmful modifications to DNA that can affect its function.

Base Modification

Chemical alterations to the DNA bases that may result in mutations or errors in replication.

Nucleotide excision repair

A DNA repair mechanism that removes bulky DNA lesions and replaces them with the correct nucleotides.

Methylation

The addition of a methyl group to DNA, typically acting to repress gene expression.

CRISPR

A gene-editing technology that can be programmed to target specific stretches of genetic code and edit DNA at precise locations.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been artificially made by combining DNA from different organisms.

RNA sequencing

A technique used to determine the quantity and sequence of RNA in a sample.

Forward genetics

An approach that starts with a phenotype and works to identify the underlying genotype.

Reverse genetics

An approach that starts with a known genotype and works to identify the associated phenotype.

Lipid droplets

Subcellular organelles that store neutral lipids and play a role in lipid metabolism.

Innate immunity

The body's first line of defense that acts limitlessly without prior exposure to pathogens.

Adaptive immunity

A specific immune response that involves the recognition and memory of pathogens.

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify segments of DNA through thermal cycling.

Gene expression

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

RNA interference (RNAi)

A biological process in which RNA molecules inhibit gene expression or translation.

Antisense

A strand of nucleic acid that is complementary to the sense strand and can block transcription.