Nucleic Acids (Part 5)

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

___________ amplifies a specific portion of a DNA molecule, producing millions of exact copies.

Segment of DNA, Primers, DNA Polymerase Enzyme, Nucleoside Triphosphates

Four Elements are needed to amplify DNA by PCR:

1. The __________ that must be copied.

2. Two _________, that are short polynucleotides that are complementary to the two ends of the segment to be amplified.

3. A ____________ to catalyze the synthesis of a complementary strand.

4. ____________ are the source of the A,T,C,G needed to make the new DNA.

1,000,000

After each cycle the amount of DNA is doubled, so after 20 cycles, __________ copies have been made.

Identification

The DNA of each individual person is unique, so DNA can be used as a method of _____________.

(Skin, Saliva, Semen, Blood)

Any type of cell ______________ can be used to obtain a DNA fingerprint.

Amplified

The DNA is first ___________ by PCR, and then cut by restriction enzymes.

Gel Electrophoresis

The DNA fragments are then separated by size by ____________.

X-Ray Film

DNA fragments can be visualized on _________ after they have been separated.

Virus

A ________ is am infectious agent consisting of a DNA or RNA molecule that is contained within a protein coating.

Host Organism

A virus is incapable of replication alone, so it invades a __________ and makes the host replicate the Virus.

Prevalent Diseases

Many ___________ like the Common cold, Influenza, and Herpes are viral in origin.

Vaccine

A __________ is an inactive form of a virus that causes a person’s immune system to produce antibodies to the virus to ward off infection.

Retrovirus

A virus with an RNA core is called a ___________.

Reverse Transcription

Retroviruses invade a host and then synthesize viral DNA by ____________.

Protein Synthesis

The viral DNA can then transcribe RNA, which then directs __________ (new retroviral particles to infect other cells)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by the retrovirus _____________.