Molecular Biology I - Transformation

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to the transformation process in molecular biology.

GFP

Green fluorescent protein; it glows green when stimulated with ultraviolet light and is used to show transformed cells.

Ampicillin resistance gene

Allows cells that take up the plasmid to survive in the presence of ampicillin, used to select for transformed cells.

Transformation efficiency

Number of transformants per microgram of DNA; calculated by dividing the number of colonies by the amount of DNA spread on the plate.

Transformation

The process of uptake of DNA by bacterial cells from the surrounding environment, leading to genetic alteration.

Calcium chloride (CaCl2)

A reagent used to make bacterial cells competent for DNA uptake during transformation.

Heat shock

A process of rapidly changing temperature (cold to warm and back to cold) to facilitate DNA uptake in transformation.

Competent cells

Bacterial cells that are capable of taking up DNA from their environment during the transformation process.

Selection media

A petri dish containing an antibiotic that allows only transformed cells to grow, used for isolating transformants.

Transformants

Cells that have taken up plasmid DNA and express the inserted genes, including antibiotic resistance.

Petri dish

A dish used for culturing microorganisms where transformed cells are plated to select for growth.