Biotechnology
The manipulation of living organisms or their components to achieve specific practical goals.
Genetic Engineering
Alteration of genomes for medical or industrial processes.
GMO
An organism that has been produced through genetic engineering.
DNA Fingerprinting
Use of restriction enzymes to cut DNA into unique sequences that can be used to compare individuals with the use of electrophoresis.
DNA Extraction
The process of obtaining DNA from a living organism for analysis.
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Method used to amplify the amount of DNA.
Gel electrophoresis
Method in which DNA fragments are separated by size by placing samples in a gelatinous material exposed to electric current.
Restriction enzyme
An enzyme that cuts double stranded DNA at a specific nucleotide sequence.
The International Consortium
Labs in different countries that are supported by public funds.
Celera Genomics
A private company
Genetic Map
Type of map that shows location of genes along chromosomes.
Contact Inhibition
When cells come into contact with neighboring cells, they stop dividing.
Proto-oncogenes
Genes that encode for proteins that promote cell cycle and prevent apoptosis.
Tumor-Suppressor Genes
Encode for proteins that inhibit the cell cycle and promote apoptosis.
Carcinogens
Environmental agents that are mutagenic.
Tumor Marker Tests
Blood tests for antigens or antibodies created by body to fight tumor.
Genetic Tests
Test for mutations in proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes
Chemotherapy
Use of chemicals that interfere with DNA synthesis to destroy cancer cells that have spread throughout the body.
Radiation Therapy
Powerful rays administered to specific areas to destory cells.
Mutation
Permanent genetic change.
Gene Mutation
Random change in the sequences of bases within a gene.
Chromosomal Mutation
Change in chromosome structure that can be detected microscopically.
Frameshift Mutation
A type of mutation that occurs when one or more nucleotides are inserted or deleted from DNA.
Point Mutation
A type of mutation that occurs when one nucleotide is substituted for another.
Cloning
Production of identical copies of a gene or organism through asexual means.
Vector
A means of transferring something into an organism.
Plasmid
Small accessory ring of DNA from bacterium that is not a part of the bacterium chromosome and is capable of replicating on its own.
Transgenic Organisms
Free living organism that has foreign genes in its cells.
Transgenic Plants
Plants that have been engineered to secrete a toxic that kills insects and to be resistant to herbicides.
Transgenic Animals
Fish, cows, pigs, rabbits, and sheep have been engineered to produce growth hormone in order to increase the size of the animals.
Animal Pharming
The process of making transgenic animals to produce pharmaceuticals.
Gene Therapy
Insertion of genetic material into human cells for treatment of a disorder.
Ex vivo gene therapy
A type of gene therapy in which cells are removed from the patient to be treated outside the body and returned to the patient.
In vivo gene therapy
A type of gene therapy in which a patient is given a foreign gene directly and this gene is incorporated into the genome within the body.
Reproductive Cloning
Type of cloning in which desired end is an individual organism.
Therapeutic Cloning
Type of cloning in which desired end is a specific cell type.
Silent Mutation
A type of point mutation in which there is no change in the sequence of amino acids.
Nonsense Mutation
A type of point mutation in which the mutation creates a stop codon.
Missense Codon
A type of point mutation in which the mutation changes the amino acid.
Mutagens
Environmental factors such as UV, x-rays, and chemicals which can cause mutations.
Angiogenesis
A process which describes how as a tumor grows, it produces growth factors to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels to supply oxygen and nutrients to cancerous cells
Cancerous Cells
Cells that invade the underlying tissue.
Metastatic Tumor
Cancer cells that are motile and start tumors in new locations.
Malignant Tumor
When cells of a tumor have the ability to spread away from the original site through vessels
Benign Tumor
tumor that is composed of noncancerous cells that stays a single mass
Stem Cells
Any cells that can divide and differentiate into more functionally specific cell types such as nerves, blood, or muscle
p53
A gene that normally prevents cell division if there is damage to the DNA. If p53 mutates, the cells may continue to divide indefinitely
Human Genome Project
Effort began in 1990 to construct base sequence map/genetic map of each chromosome.