20 +11 Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
It amplifies a gene by copying it over and over again.
What are the three basic steps in PCR?
Denaturation, Annealing, extension
What is DNA sequencing?
Figuring out the order of the nucleotides in a gene.
How are restriction enzymes like transcription factors? How are they different?
They are like transcription factors because they are used to regulate cell processes. They are different because the transcription factors are located on the DNA strands and the restriction enzymes aren’t attached.
How could reverse transcriptase be used to produce clones of genes without introns?
Reverse transcriptase transcribes the DNA backwards so that the cDNA can find its complementary intron.
Why would a researcher want clones of genes without introns?
This would be beneficial if they want to study only the sequences that are leaving the cell.
What does reverse transcriptase do?
It transcribed DNA into mRNA backwards.
How could reverse transcriptase be used to reveal which genes in a cell’s genome were expressed at a given time?
It could be used with cDNA to remove the introns. Only the exons would be left and these are the sequences that are expressed.
How can in vitro mutagenesis be used to study the function of a gene in an organism? How does this create a “knock out” organism?
It can be used by introducing a mutation into a cloned gene and then inserting that gene into a cell. It disables the other copies of that gene in the cell.
How can RNA interference be used to study the function of a gene in an organism?
Synthetic RNA can be used to mimic the processes in which the cell uses interfering RNA to degrade mRNA or stop translation.
What is a SNP?
An SNP is called single nucleotide polymorphism. It is when 1% of the population has a base pair variation at one site.
Describe three applications of PCR.
forensic analysis
ecological study
copy genes for genetic engineering
evolution study
Describe three applications of DNA sequencing.
understanding genetics-phenotype
medical (disease origin/risk, understanding cell physiology, personalized medicine)
understanding development
evolutionary relationships
What is meant by “cloning a gene”?
Cloning a gene makes a copy of a specific gene.
What is the utility of cloning a human gene into a plasmid?
Plasmids replicate independently, so this would allow the gene to clone faster.
What is meant by “cloning an organism”?
Cloning an organism inserts its DNA into an embryo so that it will have the same phenotype and genotype as
the cloned organism.
What is the utility of coning an organism?
The purpose is to create genetically identical organisms.
What sort of organisms produce restriction enzymes and what is their function?
Bacteria and archaea produce restriction enzymes and they cut DNA at specific points on the sequence.
How are restriction enzymes used when conducting gene splicing?
They can cut out unwanted sequences from the DNA so that only certain parts are used for the experiment.
How are restriction enzymes selected to create “sticky ends” when a gene is moved from its normal chromosome, into the chromosome of another organism?
Sticky ends are the single stranded ends created by restriction enzymes. They can bond with the complementary sticky end of a strand in another chromosome.
Even though the SNP shown in figure 20.14 is not part of the gene being studied, how does checking for it. Does a person still tend to indicate if that individual is carrying the normal or diseased gene?
If the person has the SNP, then they are unlikely to have the disease gene.
What are pluripotent stem cells and why are they special?
They are able to develop into many different cell types
What is unique about totipotent stem cells?
The cells can generate a complete new organism
How does the ability to convert adult pluripotent stem cells into totipotent stem cells avoid controversy?
avoid taking cells from the embryo
