Biotechnology and Microbiology Concepts

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts in biotechnology and microbiology, focusing on DNA manipulation techniques and CRISPR technology.

Nucleases

Enzymes that break the phosphodiester bond of DNA, allowing it to be cut.

Restriction Enzymes

Types of nucleases that cut DNA at specific short nucleotide sequences.

CRISPR

A genome editing technology that allows for precise modifications to DNA in living cells.

Spacer

An integrated segment of captured DNA in a CRISPR array that provides a record of past infections.

Cas Nuclease

A DNA cutting enzyme that works with crRNA to recognize and degrade invading DNA.

Transcription of CRISPR Array

The process of creating RNA transcripts from the CRISPR array, including spacer sequences.

Sticky Ends

Overhangs that occur when restriction enzymes cut DNA in a staggered manner, allowing for annealing.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that forms covalent bonds between adjacent nucleotides, effectively 'gluing' two DNA fragments together.

Gel Electrophoresis

A method used to separate DNA fragments by size, allowing for analysis and isolation.

Deoxynucleotides

The four nucleotides (dATP, dGTP, dCTP, dTTP) used in DNA synthesis.

Dideoxynucleotides

Modified nucleotides used in Sanger sequencing that lack a 3’ OH group, thus terminating DNA strand elongation.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences exponentially through thermal cycles.

Taq Polymerase

A heat-stable DNA polymerase derived from the thermophile, Thermus aquaticus, used in PCR.

Primer

Short DNA sequences that anneal to the template DNA and dictate the region to be amplified in PCR.

Double-Stranded DNA

DNA consisting of two complementary strands wound into a double helix.

Annealing

The process where primers bind to their complementary sequences during PCR.

Fluorescent Markers

Distinct markers attached to dideoxynucleotides in Sanger sequencing that allow detection of DNA sequence.

Electrophoresis

A technique for separating molecules based on size and charge through a gel matrix.

Integration of Spacer

The process by which captured DNA fragments are inserted into the CRISPR array.

Fragment Size

The lengths of DNA pieces that are determined and compared during gel electrophoresis.

Sanger Sequencing

A method of DNA sequencing that uses dideoxynucleotides to terminate DNA strand elongation.

Historical Record (CRISPR)

Information about past infections stored in the CRISPR array as spacer sequences.

Gene Function Studies

Research that utilizes dCas9 technology to manipulate gene expression and study gene roles.

PCR Amplification

The exponential increase in the target DNA amount after multiple PCR cycles.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae

A bacterium that causes gonorrhea, which can be detected using PCR in diagnostic tests.

Base Pairing

The formation of hydrogen bonds between complementary nucleotide bases in DNA.

Cohesive Ends

The ends of DNA fragments that can anneal due to complementary sequences.

Cas9

A CRISPR-associated protein that serves as a nuclease for cutting DNA at specific sites.

Genomic DNA

The complete set of DNA in an organism, including all of its genes.

Phage

A type of virus that infects bacteria and can be targeted by CRISPR technology.

Exponential Amplification

The rapid increase in the number of DNA copies produced during successive PCR cycles.

Transcription of Spacer

The creation of crRNA from spacer sequences for guiding the Cas nuclease.