Gene Control and Biotechnology Concepts

These vocabulary flashcards cover terminology related to gene control, biotechnology, and genetic expression from the lecture notes.

Gene Expression

The overall process by which genetic information flows from genes to proteins, from genotype to phenotype.

Gene Regulation

The process of turning genes on and off to help organisms respond to environmental changes.

Operons

Units of related genes controlled together in prokaryotes.

Eukaryotic Chromosomes

DNA wound around histones that forms nucleosomes and can be chemically modified.

X Chromosome Inactivation

A form of DNA packing in female mammals that blocks gene expression.

Alternative RNA Splicing

The process where different mRNA molecules are produced from the same primary transcript.

Signal Transduction Pathway

A series of molecular changes that converts a signal on a target cell’s surface to a specific response inside the cell.

Reproductive Cloning

Cloning that can result in the birth of a new living individual via nuclear transplantation.

Totipotent Cells

Cells that are capable of producing every kind of specialized cell in an organism.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Stem cells present during the first few cell divisions post-fertilization that can form various types of cells.

Oncogenes

Mutated proto-oncogenes that can cause excessive cell division and cancer.

Tumor-Suppressor Genes

Genes that normally control cell division, which can become nonfunctional due to mutations.

Carcinogens

Agents that alter DNA and make cells cancerous.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A technique used to amplify a specific DNA sequence exponentially.

DNA Profiling

A technique that determines whether two samples of DNA came from the same individual.

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Sequences in DNA that vary from person to person and are used as genetic markers.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms that have acquired one or more genes by artificial means.

Recombinant DNA

DNA that has been formed artificially by combining constituents from different organisms.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences to create fragments for genetic manipulation.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA fragments together.

Cloning

Creating an exact genetic copy of an organism or cell.

Nuclear Transplantation

A method of cloning where the nucleus from a donor cell is inserted into an egg cell.

Differentiation

The process where cells become specialized in structure and function.

Genomic DNA

The complete DNA sequence of an organism, including genes and noncoding regions.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA fragments by size using an electric field.

Nucleosome

A structural unit of eukaryotic chromatin, consisting of DNA wrapped around histone proteins.

Environmental factors

External influences that can lead to mutations and affect gene expression.

Cloned Animals

Animals that are genetically identical to the donor organism from which they were derived.

Differentiated Cells

Cells that have become specialized and have different functions, such as nerve or muscle cells.

Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy

The use of stem cells derived from embryos in therapeutic contexts.

Gene of Interest

A gene that researchers are focused on for cloning or manipulation.

Vector

A DNA molecule used to deliver a gene into a host cell.

Blastocyst

An early stage of embryonic development that can be implanted in a surrogate mother.

Centrally modified DNA

DNA that has undergone chemical modifications to regulate gene expression.

Synthetic Biology

An area of research that involves designing and constructing new biological parts and systems.

Microarrays

Tools used to study the expression of many genes at once.

Gene Therapy

A technique that uses genes to treat or prevent diseases by inserting a gene into a patient's cells.

Biotechnology

The manipulation of organisms or their components to make useful products.

Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell Therapy

A type of treatment where a patient's T cells are modified to recognize and attack cancer cells.

Genetic Modification

The process of altering the genes of an organism.

Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer (SCNT)

A cloning method where the nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred into an egg that has had its nucleus removed.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels, a process influenced by cancer cells.

Transcription Factors

Proteins that control the rate of transcription of genetic information from DNA to mRNA.

Operon Model

A model in prokaryotes that describes how genes are regulated together.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism resulting from gene expression.

Genetic Engineering

Direct manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology.