Biotechnology Cram Review

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts from biotechnology, including safety, laboratory techniques, historical figures, and key processes.

What are Koch's postulates?

A set of four criteria to determine if a microorganism causes a disease.

Gram Staining steps

Heat fixing, crystal violet, rinsing, Gram’s iodine, rinsing, ethyl alcohol, rinsing, safranin, rinsing, blotting.

What is the purpose of Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs)?

Ensure quality and safety in laboratory testing.

What is sterilization?

A process that kills all microorganisms and viruses.

Define 'hypotonic' solution.

A solution with a low concentration of solute outside the cell, causing water to enter the cell.

What does ELISA stand for?

Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay.

How do you prepare a gel for electrophoresis?

Measure agarose powder, mix with buffer, heat until dissolved, cool, and pour into casting tray.

What is the central dogma of molecular biology?

DNA -> RNA -> Protein.

What is osmosis?

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

Describe the role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in biotechnology.

Regulates environmental aspects related to biotechnology and ensures compliance with safety standards.

What is the primary function of a spectrophotometer?

To detect and measure the concentration of molecules by analyzing light absorbance.

What are monoclonal antibodies?

Antibodies made from identical B-cells that bind to the same specific epitope on an antigen.

Define 'disinfection'.

Elimination of most pathogens, reducing microbial contamination.

What is the difference between sterilization and decontamination?

Sterilization kills all microorganisms, while decontamination reduces contamination to safe levels.

What is PCR?

Polymerase Chain Reaction, a method for amplifying DNA.

Explain how to perform a dilution.

Dilution involves adding a solvent to a solute to decrease its concentration.

What measures must be taken when working with biosafety levels (BSL)?

Follow specific protocols based on BSL: BSL-1 to BSL-4, with increasing precautions.

Significance of the 260:280 nm DNA purity ratio?

A ratio of 1.8-2.0 generally indicates pure DNA.

Identify three types of RNA.

mRNA (messenger RNA), tRNA (transfer RNA), rRNA (ribosomal RNA).

What does the term 'transduction' mean in genetics?

The process of transferring DNA from one bacterium to another via a virus.

What is the primary focus of a Phase 1 clinical trial?

Safety assessment of the drug using healthy volunteers.

What is the purpose of quality control (QC) in biotechnology firms?

To test final products for compliance and ensure quality standards.

What is the function of restriction enzymes?

To cut DNA at specific sequences for cloning and analysis.

What is batch record in a biotech company?

A document containing instructions and notes for manufacturing a product.

Explain the process of transformation in bacteria.

Incorporating external DNA from the environment into a bacterial cell.

Define 'aseptic technique'.

A practice to prevent contamination by unwanted organisms during laboratory procedures.

What is the purpose of using personal protective equipment (PPE) in labs?

To protect laboratory personnel from exposure to hazardous materials.

What is the purpose of a fume hood?

To protect users from hazardous chemicals by ventilating fumes outside.