19) Genetic Technology Flashcards
What are the properties of plasmids that allow them to be used in gene cloning ? (7)
- double stranded DNA
- have restriction site for restriction enzyme
- allows gene (for cloning) to be inserted
- small
- plasmid can enter (host) cell / bacterium
- circular
- stable
- contain marker genes / genes for antibiotic resistance
- used to identify recombinant, (bacterial) cells
- replicate, fast / independently
- get many copies of cloned gene
Outline the principles of genetic engineering. (6)
- add DNA to give new characteristic
- gene obtained using restriction enzyme.
- Reverse transcriptase makes gene using mRNA.
- gene inserted into plasmid using Ligase.
- recombinant plasmid inserted into host cell.
- cloning.
Explain the roles of restriction endonucleases/enzyme
- cut DNA at restriction site.
- give sticky (staggered cut) /blunt (straight cut) ends.
Explain the roles of Ligase
- join DNA with plasmid.
(- seal sugar phosphate backbone.
- make phosphodiester bonds.
- make recombinant DNA.)
Explain the roles of Reverse Transcriptase
- uses mRNA as a template to make cDNA
define ‘Recombinant DNA’
DNA produced by combining DNA from two or more different organisms
state what is ‘genetic engineering’
- manipulation of genetic material
- inserting/deleting/substituting DNA at specific parts of the genome
- used to modify characteristic in host organism
name 3 ways genes can be generated for genetic engineering
- genes cut from donor DNA9 using restriction endonucleases
- generated from an mRNA sequence using reverse transcriptase
- genes synthesised from nucleotides
function of PCR
- if only small amount of DNA available so..
- cloning & amplifying a fragment of DNA
4 substances required for PCR
- DNA fragment to be amplified
- Primers (short nucleotide sequences)
- DNA Tag Polymerase
- Nucleotides
describe the steps of PCR (4)
- heat to 90C so DNA denatures
- cool to 50/65C so primers bind to DNA
- heat to 68/75C so Taq DNA Polymerase makes new strand of DNA
- repeat cycles to amplify DNA
explain the role of Taq Polymerase
- copies DNA at high temperatures
- it is resistant to heat
- so does not denature at high temperatures
- does not need to be added again each time/cycle
why are primers needed for PCR
- provide a starting point for Taq Polymerase
- prevent two DNA strands joining back after they are separated
what is the function of gel electrophoresis
to separate DNA fragments, nucleic acids and proteins according to size & charge
outline the process of gel electrophoresis
- cut DNA w restriction enzyme
- DNA mixed w loading dye/staining agent
- gel is covered w buffer solution
- DNA is negatively charged
- moves to anode
- due to electric field (when current applied)
- larger/longer fragments move slowly/less far
- gel impedance causes DNA to separate in order of size
- visualise under UV light, DNA fluoresce
- compare position w DNA ladder to estimate lengths of DNA fragments
what is a plasmid
- circular DNA structure found in bacteria
- vector
- carries DNA into host cell
- contains DNA for fluorescent protein
- contains promoter
how can microarrays be used to assess gene expression
- use mRNA to make cDNA
- fluorescent dye attached to cDNA
- probes on microarray
- binding of cDNA to probe
- wash off excess DNA
- use UV light to produce fluorescence
- intensity of fluorescence indicates level of gene expression