Biotechnology: Principles and Processes

These flashcards cover key concepts, terms, and definitions related to biotechnology and its principles and processes.

Biotechnology

The use of live organisms or enzymes from organisms to produce products and processes useful to humans.

Recombinant DNA

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

Genetic engineering

Techniques to alter the chemistry of genetic materials, including cloning and gene transfer.

Bioprocess engineering

Maintenance of sterile conditions to enable the growth of desired microbes or cells for the manufacture of biotechnological products.

Restriction enzymes

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences to facilitate manipulation of genetic material.

PCR

Polymerase Chain Reaction; a method used to amplify DNA segments.

Clone

An identical copy of an organism or DNA fragment.

Plasmid

A small circular DNA molecule found in bacteria used as a vector in genetic engineering.

Competent host

A bacterial cell that is treated to take up DNA more easily.

Selectable marker

A gene used to distinguish between transformed and non-transformed cells.

Origin of replication (ori)

A sequence where DNA replication begins, critical for cloning.

Bioreactor

A vessel in which biological reactions occur, often used for the cultivation of microorganisms for product formation.

Downstream processing

The purification and formulation of biological products after their production.

Insertional inactivation

A method that disrupts the activity of a gene, typically used in cloning.

Ethidium bromide

A compound used to stain DNA in gel electrophoresis for visualization.

Gel electrophoresis

A method for separating DNA fragments based on size by applying an electric field.

DNA ligase

An enzyme that joins DNA strands together, particularly during recombinant DNA construction.

Antibiotic resistance gene

A gene that allows microorganisms to survive exposure to antibiotics.

Transformation

The process of introducing foreign DNA into a host cell.

Microinjection

A method of introducing DNA into a cell by injecting it directly into the nucleus.

Gene gun

A device used to shoot DNA-coated particles into plant cells.

Recombinant protein

A protein produced from recombinant DNA technology.

Thermal cycler

A machine used to amplify DNA through PCR by cycling through different temperatures.

Bacteriophage

A virus that infects and replicates within bacteria, often used as a vector for DNA transfer.

Transformation efficiency

The ratio of successfully transformed cells to the total number of cells treated.

Nucleases

Enzymes that cleave the chains of nucleotides in nucleic acids.

Endonuclease

A type of nuclease that cuts nucleic acids at specific internal sites.

Exonuclease

A type of nuclease that removes nucleotides from the ends of nucleic acids.

Origin of replication

A sequence on a plasmid where replication begins.

Molecular scissors

Another term for restriction enzymes used to cut DNA at specific sites.

Sticky ends

Single-stranded overhangs at the ends of cut DNA that facilitate the binding with other DNA.

Gene cloning

The process of making multiple identical copies of a specific gene.

Biosynthetic phase

The phase in biotechnological production where the desired product is synthesized.

Quality control testing

The process of testing to ensure that a product meets specified quality criteria.

Transgenic organisms

Organisms that have been genetically modified to carry genes from other species.

Chitinase

An enzyme that hydrolyzes chitin, used in biotechnology.

Bioprocess

A biological production process involving microorganisms or cells.

Yeast

Single-celled fungi often used in biotechnology for fermentation and protein production.

Microorganisms

Microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can be used in biotechnological processes.

Host organism

The organism that contains a cloned gene or expresses a recombinant DNA.

Antibiotic

A substance that inhibits bacterial growth or kills bacteria.

DNA polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA molecules from nucleotides.

DNA extraction

The process of isolating DNA from cells or tissues.

Ribonuclease

An enzyme that degrades RNA.

Protease

An enzyme that digests proteins.

T-DNA

A segment of DNA transferred from Agrobacterium tumefaciens to a plant cell.

Viral vectors

Modified viruses used to deliver genetic material into host cells.

Biolistics

The gene transfer method in plants using high-velocity micro-particles.

Palindromic sequence

A nucleotide sequence that reads the same in both directions.

Histones

Proteins that package and order DNA into structural units.

Chromosomal DNA

The DNA contained within the chromosomes of a cell.

Recombinant DNA technology

A set of techniques used to isolate and manipulate DNA.

Gene expression

The process by which information from a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product.

Agarose

A natural polymer used as a matrix in gel electrophoresis.

Analytical methods

Procedures used to determine the quality or identity of products.

Fungi

A kingdom of organisms that includes yeasts and molds used in various biotechnological applications.

Antibodies

Proteins produced by the immune system to help fight infections.

Monoclonal antibodies

Antibodies derived from a single clone of cells used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Gene therapy

A method to treat genetic disorders by inserting genes into a patient's cells.

Antisense technology

A technique used to inhibit gene expression by using complementary nucleotide sequences.

Transcription

The process where DNA is copied to RNA.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes synthesize proteins using mRNA.

Hydrophilic

Repelling water; water-loving.

Isolation of DNA

The process of separating DNA from a mixture of other cellular components.

Chromatography

A technique used to separate mixtures based on their movement through a stationary phase.

Hybridization

The process of combining two complementary strands of DNA to form a double helix.

Signal transduction

The process by which a cell responds to signals from its environment.

Bioinformatics

Application of computer technology to manage biological information.

Structure of plasmids

Circular DNA molecules that can carry genes for antibiotic resistance or other traits.

Statistical analysis

The process of collecting and interpreting quantitative data.

Integration of DNA

The incorporation of foreign DNA sequences into a host genome.

Heterologous expression

Expression of a gene in a foreign host.

Phage display

A technique to study protein interactions by displaying proteins on the surface of phages.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that converts sugars to acids, gases, or alcohol.

Biomanufacturing

Using living cells to produce products on a commercial scale.