Biotechnology Flashcards

Flashcards about biotechnology.

What is biotechnology?

The use of living cells and organisms to produce useful products.

What is cloning?

A process that produces identical copies of genes, cells, or organisms.

What is gene cloning?

Manipulating DNA to produce multiple copies of a gene or another segment of DNA in foreign cells.

What is gene cloning used to mass produce?

A substance like insulin.

What is a vector in gene cloning?

Acts as a carrier for the DNA to be cloned so it can be copied in a foreign cell.

What are plasmids?

Small circular pieces of DNA inside bacteria.

What is recombinant DNA?

A DNA molecule that includes genetic material from different sources.

What are the steps of gene cloning?

Isolate segment of DNA to clone, choose a vector for cloning, insert chromosomal DNA into vector, and treat foreign cells so they take in recombinant DNA

What are transgenic organisms?

Organisms that have foreign genes from a different organism inserted into them.

What type of engineering are transgenic organisms?

Genetic Engineering

What have transgenic crops been modified to be resistant to?

Resistant to herbicides, insects, viruses, and fungi.

What are transgenic animals like mice, fruit flies, and roundworms used for?

Study diseases and treatments.

What could transgenic animals serve as for humans?

Organ donors.

What does golden rice have an increased amount of?

Increased iron and vitamin A content.

What does golden rice help prevent?

Prevent malnutrition.

What are transgenic goats used to produce?

Produce proteins, human growth hormones, and anti-clotting factors in their milk.

What is gene therapy?

An experimental treatment to cure genetic disorders.

What can the healthy gene do in gene therapy?

Replace the mutated gene that causes the disorder.

Give an example of a disorder that gene therapy can help.

Cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.

What does a DNA profile do?

Determines specific sequences of DNA unique to a person.

What are two biotechnology advancements that help people conceive children?

Artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

What is artificial insemination?

Process that involves collecting and concentrating sperm, and then placing it in the female’s vagina during ovulation.

What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

A process that results in a female’s eggs being fertilized by sperm outside of the body

What are some environmental threats of GMOs?

Use of herbicide-resistant plants can lead to the use of stronger herbicides, genes can cross to other species, and GMO may out-compete species in the wild.

What are some health effects of GMOs?

Long-term effects of GMOs are not known, GMOs may produce allergic reactions, and GMO products do not have labels on them.