11a Flashcards
Transgenic
Containing DNA from multiple species/An individual with recombinant DNA
Recombinant DNA
Genetic material that has been cut with restriction enzymes and spliced with DNA from other orgamisms
Reverse transcriptase
Enzyme that uses RNA as a template to construct a DNA molecule
Cloning vector
A self-replicating structure that carries DNA from cell to cell
Plasmid
Small circle of double-standed DNA separate from a cell’s chromosome
Restriction enzyme
Enzyme that cuts double-stranded DNA at specific sequences
Electrophoresis
Technique used to sort DNA fragments by size
Psuedogenes
A DNA sequence that is very similar to that of a gene: a psuedogene is transcribed but its mRNA is not translated
PCR
Polymerase chain reaction - Amplifies DNA in a tet tube using the cell’s replication machinery. (biotechnology tool that rapidly produces millions of copies of a DNA sequence of interest)
DNA profiling
Biotechnology tool that uses DNA to detect differences between individuals. Uses DNA sequencing and PCR to detect genetic differences among individuals.
STR
Short tandem repeat - short DNA sequences that vary in length among individuals in a population
Stem cells
Undifferentiated cell that divides to give rise to additional stem cell and cells that specialize. Found in embryos and some adult tissues.
Embryonic stem cells
Stem cell that can give rise to all types of cells in the body
Adult stem cells
Cell that can give rise to a limited subset of cells in the body
DNA probe
A single stranded sequence of DNA, labeled with a radioactive isotope or flouescent tag, used to detect the presence of a complementary DNA sequence.
PGD
preimplantation genetic diagnosis - One cell of an embryo is removed, DNA amplified using PCR and then DNA probes are used to detect genetic illness in the embryo before implanting it into a uterus (in vitro fertilization.)
Gene therapy
Treatment that supplements a faulty gene in a cell with a functioning version of the gene. Another variation of gene therapy is using DNA to silence a gene whose activity is causing illness.
DNA sequencing
Determines the nucleotide sequence of DNA fragments
Cloning
Creates an identical copy of an individual
Somatic cell nuclear transfer
A type of cloning that combines a nucleus taken from one individual’s body cell with a denucleated egg cell from another individual to produce the first cell of a new organism.
Genetic testing
Uses PCR and DNA probes to detect genetic diseases in fetuses, newborns, children and adults. Similar to PGD except the DNA is not sourced from an embryo, rather it is taken from blood, saliva or body tissue.
