Genetic Technologies Review

Practice flashcards covering genetic engineering technologies, the Human Genome Project, and biotechnology applications like CRISPR and cloning.

Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of genetic material to alter genes and blend plant, animal, and bacterial DNA.

DNA Sequencing

A process that reveals the exact sequence of a piece of DNA down to the individual nucleotide letters.

Homo sapiens

The species for which the Human Genome project succeeded in determining the exact DNA sequence.

Human Genome Project

A joint effort of thousands of laboratories worldwide that determined the sequence of the human genome.

Nearly three billion

The number of base pairs sequenced by the Human Genome Project to define the human genome.

$$99.9\%$$

The percentage of DNA that is identical among all humans according to the Human Genome Project.

$$35,000$$

The actual number of genes contained in the human genome, as opposed to the previously expected $100,000$.

$$100,000$$

The estimated number of genes the human genome was thought to contain before the Human Genome Project findings.

Recombinant DNA

A molecule of DNA that includes genetic material from different sources.

Restriction Enzymes

Enzymes that catalyze the cleavage of DNA at specific nucleotide sequences.

Specificity

A quality of restriction enzymes where cuts to the DNA are specific and predictable.

Staggered Cuts

A quality of restriction enzymes where they leave unpaired ends of nucleotides.

Sticky ends

The name given to the unpaired ends of nucleotides produced by staggered cuts.

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

A process by which DNA can be copied many times to produce a large number of identical DNA molecules.

Amplify

The action of using PCR to increase the amount of DNA for use in later tests.

Gel Electrophoresis

A technology used to separate fragments of DNA according to their sizes using an electrical current.

DNA Fingerprint

The patterned bands of fragments produced by gel electrophoresis, also known as a DNA Profile.

Negative Electrode

The electrode at the origin side of the gel where DNA samples are initially applied.

Positive Electrode

The electrode toward which DNA fragments move during the electrophoresis process.

Heaviest Fragments

The DNA fragments that move slowest and are found closest to the sample wells in a gel.

Lightest Fragments

The DNA fragments that move fastest through the gel during electrophoresis.

CRISPR

A family of DNA sequences found in the genomes of prokaryotes such as bacteria.

Cas9

A type of CRISPR enzyme used to recognize and cleave specific strands of DNA complementary to the CRISPR sequence.

Gene editing

A biotechnology used to edit genes with specific target sites, facilitated by tools like CRISPR-Cas9.

Prokaryotes

The organisms, such as bacteria, in which CRISPR families of DNA sequences are found.

DNA microarray

A tool for analysis of gene expression levels using cDNA probes to analyze thousands of genes at once.

cDNA probes

The specific probes used within a DNA microarray to analyze the activity or expression of genes.

Transgenic Organisms

Organisms which have been genetically engineered to contain DNA from another organism.

Medicinal Bacteria

Transgenic bacteria used to create genetically engineered pharmaceutical products.

Human insulin

The first example of a genetically engineered pharmaceutical product synthesized by transgenic bacteria.

Transgenic Plants

Plants modified to increase resistance to herbicides and pests or to survive drought and cold climates.

Clones

Genetically identical organisms, such as those produced in the experiments involving Dolly the Sheep.

Wilmut's team

The group that successfully cloned an adult sheep using a donated nucleus and an egg cell.

Synchronized

The required state for cell cycles of the donated nucleus and the egg cell to ensure successful cloning.

Surrogate mother

The animal into whose uterus cloned embryos are implanted to produce a live lamb.