DNA Technology and Applications of DNA Science

Flashcards about DNA Technology and Applications of DNA Science

What is a fundamental characteristic of DNA across all organisms?

made up of the same nucleotide building blocks

Selective Breeding and Artificial Selection

Humans intentionally choose which plants or animals get to reproduce to promote desirable traits in future generations

Inbreeding

Intentionally breed closely related individuals to create offspring with desired traits

Hybridization/crossbreeding

When different breeds are combined to make a new breed

Genetic recombination

Foreign DNA assimilated by a bacterial cell from its surroundings

Transduction

DNA transferred from one bacterium to another by a virus

Conjugation

DNA transferred between bacterial cells that are temporarily joined together

Genetic engineering

Altering the DNA of an organism to suppress or enhance the activities of its own genes and/or combining genetic material of different species

Biotechnology

The use of an organism, a component of an organism, or any other biological system to make a product or process

Recombinant DNA technology

Taking a gene from one organism and placing it into another to form new combinations of heritable genetic material

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

A DNA sequence produced artificially by joining pieces of DNA from different organisms

Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)?

A microorganism, plant, or animal that possesses a genetically modified genome created using genetic engineering

Transgenic organisms

Organisms that have been modified by bringing in genetic material of a species different than the one being altered

Restriction enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific locations based on the nucleotide sequences

Sticky ends

Single-stranded overhangs that can hold two pieces of DNA together to be linked by a ligase

Blunt ends

No overhang

DNA ligase

Enzyme that joins DNA with matching ends

Vectors in genetic engineering

Suitable gene carrier that can replicate both itself and a foreign DNA segment linked to it

Plasmids

Small circular DNA molecules in bacteria

Bacteriophages

Viruses that infect bacteria

Escherichia coli

Prokaryotic host used in genetic engineering

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A common eukaryotic host

Gene of interest, enzymes, vector

Basic requirements for DNA recombination

What is transformation in the context of recombinant DNA technology?

The introduction of foreign DNA into cells

Gene gun

Shoot pellets coated with DNA on plant tissues

Gene cloning

Process of making multiple identical copies of a single gene

cDNA

Copy DNA or complementary DNA that has been transcribed from mRNA

DNA amplification

Method of creating multiple copies of a particular segment of DNA

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Technique used to amplify or make millions of copies of a specific DNA sequence or gene

Gel Electrophoresis

Technique used to distinguish and separate DNA, RNA, or proteins according to their size

Purpose of DNA ladder in gel electrophoresis

Contain a set of predetermined DNA fragment sizes that allow comparison of the size and concentration of sample DNA fragments

DNA sequencing

Process of determining the exact sequence of nucleotides or bases in a DNA molecule

DNA fingerprinting

Identification based on a person’s unique set of genetic markers

RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism)

Detects differences in DNA fragment lengths due to the presence or absence of a restriction enzyme site

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Consists of adjacent repeating units of 2-10 bases in length repeated 5-100 times at each locus; used in modern day DNA profiling

Gene Therapy

Introduction of normal genes into an afflicted individual for therapeutic purposes

CRISPR-Cas9

A system in bacteria that help them fight off invading viruses; used in gene editing