1.2 Biotechnology

Antibiotics – molecular agents derived from fungi and/or bacteria that impede the growth and survival of some other microorganisms

Restriction enzyme – an enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific nucleotide sequence

DNA ligase – an enzyme that binds together disconnected strands of a DNA molecule

Recombinant DNA (rDNA) – DNA created by combining DNA from two or more sources

Genetically modified organisms (GMO) – organisms that contain DNA from another organism and produce new proteins encoded on the acquired DNA

E. coli – a rod-shaped bacterium native to the intestines of mammals; commonly used in genetics and biotechnology

Plasmid - a tiny, circular piece of extra chromosomal DNA, used in recombinant DNA technologies

t-PA (tissue plasminogen activator) - a naturally occurring enzyme that breaks down blood clots and clears blocked blood vessels

Human Genome Project – effort to determine the DNA sequence on all 23 human chromosomes