Genetic Research and Biotechnology

Flashcards about Genetic Research and Biotechnology

Molecular biology

The study of the structure and functions of nucleic acids and proteins

Recombinant DNA

A molecule of DNA composed of genetic material from different sources

Restriction endonuclease

An enzyme that cleaves (cuts) the interior of double-stranded DNA in a sequence-specific manner

Restriction fragment

A small segment of DNA generated by cutting a larger piece of DNA with a restriction enzyme

Gene cloning

The process of manipulating DNA to produce many identical copies of a gene or another segment of DNA in foreign cells

Plasmid

In recombinant DNA technology, a self-replicating, closed circular piece of DNA that can act as a carrier of a gene to be cloned in bacteria

Transformation

In recombinant DNA technology, a process in which a bacterial host takes up a segment of DNA from the environment under particular experimental conditions

DNA amplification

The process of producing large quantities of DNA from a sample

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

An automated method for amplifying specific regions of DNA from extremely small quantities

Gel electrophoresis

Tool used to separate molecules according to their mass and charge; can be used to separate fragments of DNA

DNA fingerprinting

A technology used to identify individuals by analyzing the DNA sequence of certain regions of their genome

Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling

Technology used to identify individuals based on repeating short sequences of DNA in the genome that vary in length between individuals

DNA sequencing

A method for determining the nucleotide sequence, base by base, of a fragment of DNA

Dideoxy sequencing

A method for determining the sequence of a DNA fragment using dideoxynucleotides, which cause termination of DNA synthesis during the procedure

Human Genome Project

A project that sequenced the human genome and identified all the genes within it

Site-directed mutagenesis

A method of specifically altering the nucleotide sequence of a region of DNA

Gene therapy

A method for treating genetic disorders by introducing a correct form of the disease-related gene into an individual’s genome

Genetic engineering

Alteration of the genetic material of an organism in a specific manner

Transgenic

Describes an organism that is produced from the introduction of foreign DNA into its genome, providing it with a new phenotype

Genetically modified organism (GMO)

An organism whose genetic material has been modified, often through the insertion of a foreign gene into its genome

Biotechnology

The use of an organism, or a product from an organism, for the benefit of humans

Patent

A government ruling giving an individual or organization the sole title or right to make, use, or sell a particular invention

Expression vector

A plasmid vector that is transformed into a host cell for the purpose of producing a foreign protein

Bioremediation

The use of micro-organisms or other living cells for environmental clean-up

Biolistic method

A method used for producing transgenic plants that involves bombarding plant cells with particles coated in DNA that become integrated into the plant genome

Ti plasmid method

A method of producing transgenic plants that uses the tumour-inducing plasmid from Agrobacterium tumefaciens as the vector for the insertion of a foreign gene into a plant genome

Gene pharming

The process of using transgenic livestock to produce therapeutic proteins (pharmaceuticals)