4. Fundamentals of Molecular Biology Flashcards
The use of radioactive or fluorescent probes to detect RNA or DNA sequences in chromosomes or intact cells.
in situ hybridization
The introduction of mutations into cloned DNA in vitro.
in vitro mutagenesis
Protein synthesis in a cell-free extract.
in vitro translation
One copy of a gene.
allele
A protein produced by B lymphocytes that binds to a foreign molecule.
antibody
A DNA molecule that is complementary to an mRNA molecule, synthesized in vitro by reverse transcriptase.
cDNA
A vector that can replicate as a chromosome in yeast cells and can accommodate very large DNA inserts (hundreds of kb).
yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)
immunoblotting
Western blotting
A DNA molecule used to direct the replication of a cloned DNA fragment in a host cell.
vector
The synthesis of a polypeptide chain from an mRNA template.
translation
The expression of unintegrated plasmid DNAs that have been introduced into cultured cells.
transient expression
A mouse that carries foreign genes incorporated into the germ line.
transgenic mouse
The transfer of DNA between genetically distinct bacteria. See also cell transformation.
transformation
An RNA molecule that functions as an adaptor between amino acids and mRNA during protein synthesis.
tRNA (transfer RNA)
The introduction of a foreign gene into eukaryotic cells.
transfection
The synthesis of an RNA molecule from a DNA template.
transcription
A plasmid used for gene transfer in plants.
Ti plasmid
A molecule against which an antibody is directed. antisense nucleic acid
antigen
A cell expressing a protein that is functional at one temperature but not at another, whereas the normal protein is functional at both temperatures.
temperature-sensitive mutant
A method in which radioactive or fluorescent probes are used to detect specific DNA fragments that have been separated by gel electrophoresis.
Southern blotting
The process of DNA replication in which the two parental strands separate and serve as templates for the synthesis of new progeny strands.
semiconservative replication
A commonly used method to separate proteins by gel electrophoresis on the basis of size.
SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE)
An enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of RNA.
RNA polymerase
The degradation of mRNAs by short complementary double-stranded RNA molecules.
RNA interference (RNAi)
The RNA component of ribosomes.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA)
Synthesis of DNA from an RNA template.
reverse transcription
A DNA polymerase that uses an RNA template.
reverse transcriptase
Analysis of gene function by introducing mutations into a cloned gene.
reverse genetics
A virus that replicates by making a DNA copy of its RNA genome by reverse transcription.
retrovirus
The locations of restriction endonuclease cleavage sites on a DNA molecule.
restriction map
An enzyme that cleaves DNA at a specific sequence.
restriction endonuclease
A DNA insert joined to a vector.
recombinant molecule
A collection of genomic or cDNA clones.
recombinant DNA library
An allele that is masked by a dominant allele.
recessive
A method for amplifying a region of DNA by repeated cycles of DNA synthesis in vitro.
polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
A small, circular DNA molecule capable of independent replication in a host cell.
plasmid
The physical appearance of an organism.
phenotype
A vector used for cloning large fragments of DNA in E. coli.
P1 artificial chromosome (PAC)
A specific DNA sequence that serves as a binding site for proteins that initiate replication.
origin of replication
The formation of double-stranded DNA and/or RNA molecules by complementary base pairing.
nucleic acid hybridization
A method in which mRNAs are separated by gel electrophoresis and detected by hybridization with specific probes.
Northern blotting
New methods that allow rapid sequencing of billions of bases of DNA.
next-generation sequencing
A genetic alteration.
mutation
An antibody produced by a clonal line of B lymphocytes.
monoclonal antibody
The insertion of a DNA fragment of interest into a DNA molecule (vector) that is capable of independent replication in a host cell.
molecular cloning
A DNA insert joined to a vector.
molecular clone
An RNA molecule that serves as a template for protein synthesis.
mRNA (messenger RNA)
The division of diploid cells to haploid progeny, consisting of two sequential rounds of nuclear and cellular division.
meiosis
A lipid vesicle used to introduce DNA into mammalian cells.
liposome
Inactivation of a chromosomal gene by homologous recombination with a cloned mutant allele.
knockout
A method that uses antibodies to detect proteins separated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
immunoblotting
Recombination between segments of DNA with homologous nucleotide sequences.
homologous recombination
An organism or cell that has one copy of each chromosome.
haploid
The genetic composition of an organism.
genotype
The correspondence between nucleotide triplets and amino acids in proteins.
genetic code
The introduction of foreign DNA into a cell.
gene transfer
A functional unit of inheritance, corresponding to a segment of DNA that encodes a polpeptide or RNA molecule
gene
A method in which molecules are separated based on their migration in an electric field.
gel electrophoresis
A vector used to direct expression of a cloned DNA fragment in a host cell.
expression vector
A stem cell cultured from an early embryo.
embryonic stem cell
The introduction of DNA into cells by exposure to a brief electric pulse.
electroporation
A mutant that interferes with the function of the normal allele of the gene.
dominant inhibitory mutant
The allele that determines the phenotype of an organism when more than one allele is present.
dominant
An enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of DNA.
DNA polymerase
VA glass slide or membrane filter onto which oligonucleotides or fragments of cDNAs are printed at a high density, allowing simultaneous analysis of thousands of genes by hybridization of the microarray with fluorescent probes.
DNA microarray
An enzyme that seals breaks in DNA strands.
DNA ligase
An organism or cell that carries two copies of each chromosome.
diploid
A nucleotide that lacks the normal 3′ hydroxyl group of deoxyribose and is used as a chain-terminating nucleotide in
dideoxynucleotide
A vector that contains bacteriophage λ sequences, antibiotic resistance sequences, and an origin of replication. It can accommodate large DNA inserts of up to 45 kb.
cosmid
The basic unit of the genetic code; one of the 64 nucleotide triplets that code for an amino acid or stop sequence.
codon
A carrier of genes, consisting of long DNA molecules and associated proteins.
chromosome
The concept that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins.
central dogma
A nucleic acid (either RNA or DNA) that is complementary to an mRNA of interest and is used to block gene expression.
antisense nucleic acid
A type of vector used for cloning large fragments of DNA in bacteria.
bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)
transgenic mouse
A mouse that carries foreign genes incorporated into the germ line.
