5.1 - Tools of Biotechnology

restriction enzyme

Enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides (DNA scissors)

recognition site

specific sequence where a restriction enzyme will cut (palindrome)

recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

transgenic organism

organism that is genetically engineered by inserting a gene from another organism

DNA ligase

enzyme that chemically links DNA fragments together (DNA tape)

gel electrophoresis

technique for sorting molecules or fragments of molecules by length

plasmid

small, circular piece of DNA located in the cytoplasm of many bacteria

genetic engineering

A technology that includes the process of manipulating or altering the genetic material of a cell resulting in desirable functions or outcomes that would not occur naturally.

genome

All the genetic information in an organism; all of an organism's chromosomes.

transformation

Bacteria take DNA right from environment

cloning

A process in which a cell, cell product, or organism is copied from an original source.