Chapter 20 DNA Tools and Biotechnology

These flashcards are designed to help students memorize and understand key vocabulary terms and concepts related to DNA tools and biotechnology.

DNA Sequencing

A process used to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of a gene.

What three things does DNA sequencing need?

DNA, sequencing primer, nucleotides

An OH is found on 3rd carbon in DNA or RNA

RNA

Reasons why bacterial plasmids are widely used as cloning vectors:

Easily obtained, manipulated, introduced to bacterial cells, and rapidly multiplied

ECORI Enzyme

Is the restriction enzyme that uses the sticky ends to allow for overhang, is the preferred method

Blunt Enzyme

Is another type of restriction enzyme that does not use sticky ends which is not prepared because the plasmid will seal back open

The three main steps in PCR:

1. Denature 2. Anneal 3. Extension

Anneal

Exposes primers to low temps to let them come to complimentary region for PCR

Extension

Normal temp used as a trial and error for PCR

Recombinant DNA

DNA molecule formed by combining DNA from two different sources.

N0 × 2^n = Nt

N0 = starting molecule # (ex start with ten molecules) ; Nt = final molecule number ; n = total number of cycles

Gel Electrophoresis

A technique used to separate DNA fragments based on their size.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A method to amplify copies of a specific DNA segment using cycles of heating and cooling.

Restriction Enzymes

Proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences called restriction sites.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1980

Awarded for the development of DNA sequencing techniques.

Cloning Vector

A plasmid used to clone a foreign gene.

Dideoxy Sequencing

A method of sequencing DNA by terminating DNA strand growth.

High-Throughput Technology

Technologies that allow for rapid sequencing of thousands of DNA fragments simultaneously.

Sticky Ends

Single-stranded ends of restriction fragments that can bond with complementary ends.

DNA Ligase

An enzyme that seals the bonds between restriction fragments.

Gene Cloning

The process of making multiple copies of a specific gene.

Bacterial Plasmids

Small, circular DNA molecules that replicate separately from chromosomal DNA.

Thermal Cycler

A machine used to perform PCR by cycling through temperatures.

Taq Polymerase

A heat-stable enzyme used in PCR to synthesize DNA.

Next-Generation Sequencing

Rapid, cost-effective sequencing technologies developed after Sanger sequencing.

Nanopore Sequencing

A third-generation sequencing method where a single DNA molecule is identified as it passes through a pore.

Human Genome Project

An international scientific research project aimed at mapping all the genes of the human genome.

Gene Therapy

A technique that modifies a person's genes to treat or cure diseases.

Hybridization

The process of forming a double-stranded molecule from a DNA strand and its complementary sequence.

Gene Expression

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

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)

A technology that allows for precise editing of DNA sequences.

Transcription

The process of synthesizing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process of synthesizing proteins from mRNA.

Plasmid Transformation

The process of introducing plasmids into a bacterial cell.

Eukaryotic Cell Cloning

Methods used to replicate a specific gene within eukaryotic cells.

Fidelity

The accuracy of DNA replication and synthesis.

Amplification

The process of increasing the quantity of DNA.

Restriction Fragments

Pieces of DNA that result from cuts made by restriction enzymes.

Operon

A cluster of genes under the control of a single promoter, often involved in the regulation of gene expression.

Massively Parallel Sequencing

Simultaneous sequencing of many DNA sequences.

Bacteriophage

Viruses that infect bacteria, often used in genetic engineering.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms that contain a gene or genes which have been artificially inserted.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Genes that confer resistance to antibiotics, often used as selection markers in cloning.

Gene Product

The end product of gene expression, which can be RNA or protein.

Sequencing Primer

Short DNA sequences that provide a starting point for DNA synthesis in sequencing.

Nucleotides

The basic building blocks of DNA and RNA.

In-vitro

Processes that occur outside of a living organism, often in a laboratory setting.

In-vivo

Processes that occur within a living organism.

Gene Mapping

The process of determining the location of genes on a chromosome.

Genetic Engineering

The direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes.

Bioinformatics

The use of software and computational tools to manage and analyze biological data.

Mutations

Changes in the nucleotide sequence of DNA that can affect gene function.