Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Review

These flashcards cover key concepts in molecular biology and biotechnology, focusing on processes, definitions, and important discoveries.

What is protein synthesis?

The process by which cells create proteins, involving transcription and translation.

What is transcription?

The process where DNA is copied into mRNA using RNA polymerase.

What is the role of mRNA in translation?

mRNA travels to the ribosome and uses tRNA to create proteins.

What are the types of RNA?

mRNA (carries codons), tRNA (brings amino acids), rRNA (part of ribosome).

What is a mutation? Give examples.

A change in DNA sequence; examples include silent, missense, nonsense, and frameshift mutations.

What is the function of DNA polymerase?

An enzyme that adds nucleotides during DNA replication.

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

Genotype is the genetic makeup, while phenotype is the physical/expressed traits.

What is an operon?

A group of genes that are regulated together.

What is the lac operon?

An inducible operon that is off by default and turns on in the presence of lactose.

What was the significance of Griffith's experiment?

It demonstrated transformation, where non-pathogenic bacteria became pathogenic by taking DNA from dead bacteria.

What are Koch's postulates?

Criteria to establish a causative relationship between a microbe and a disease.

What defines a pandemic?

A worldwide outbreak of a disease.

What are some types of infections?

Local, systemic, focal, septicemia, and bacteremia.

What is herd immunity?

Protection when most of a population is immune, usually through vaccination.

What is recombinant DNA?

The insertion or modification of genes in an organism.

What are common laboratory techniques in biotechnology?

Bradford assay, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, microarrays, and qRT-PCR.

What are transposons?

Jumping genes that move within the genome.

Name three important discoveries that made biotechnology possible.

Discovery of DNA structure (Watson and Crick), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and restriction enzymes.