what is biotechnology
the use of biological processes, organisms and systems to manufacture products intended to raise QoL
restriction enzyme purpose/function
cuts DNA/RNA, found in microbes, only 4-8 base pairs long, hundreds have been isolated
how do restriction enzymes cut?
looks for palindromic sequences associated with viruses. two types of cut are sticky ends and blunt cuts
transgenic organism
organism with modified genes e.g. GMOs
Gel electrophoresis purpose
a way to separate DNA fragments by running through agarose gel.
Different DNA samples are treated with the same restriction enzyme (this will make different size fragments because DNA samples are different. a current runs through buffer gel and to the gel. because DNA is negative, it migrates to the positive electrode. the distance is inverse to the DNA' fragment size (smaller = faster)
Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR)
a way to produce copies of DNA without cells
steps:
denaturing (94ºC-98ºC)
DNA strands separate
Annealing (50ºC-65ºC)
Primers attatch to DNA strand
Extension (75ºC-80ºC)
Taq polymerase attaches to primer and replicates the DNA (Taq is used because it can withstand the higher temperatures that make is work faster)
CRISPR-Cas9
CRISPR > tells Cas9 where to cut
Cas9 > Cuts DNA
has guide RNA embedded in Cas9 protein that looks for a matching sequence to cut. originally used as defence against viruses