4E - Recombination and Transformation

Question 1

plasmid

Answer 1

A small, circular loop of DNA seperate from the chromosome, typically found in bacteria.

Question 2

recombinant plasmid

Answer 2

A circular DNA vector that is ligated to incorporate a gene of intereset.

Question 3

bacterial transformation

Answer 3

The process by which bacteria take up foreign DNA from their environment. Scientists use this process to introduce recombinant plasmids in to bacteria.

Question 4

insulin

Answer 4

A hormone secreted by the pancreas to control blood glucose levels.

Question 5

diabetes

Answer 5

A disease where the body cannot properly produce insulin.

Question 6

gene of interest

Answer 6

A gene scientists want to be expressed in transformed bacteria. This gene often encodes a protein we wish to produce in commercial quantities. AKA desired gene.

Question 7

vector

Answer 7

A means of introducing foreign DNA into an organism. Plasmids are a popular vector in bacterial transformation.

Question 8

plasmid vector

Answer 8

A piece of circular DNA that is modified to be an ideal vector for bacterial transformation experiments.

Question 9

antibiotic resistant gene

Answer 9

Gene which confers antibiotic resistance.

Question 10

origin of replication (ORI)

Answer 10

A sequence found in prokaryotes that signals the start site of DNA replication.

Question 11

heat shock

Answer 11

A method that involves rapidly increasing and decreasing the temperature to increase membrane permeability in order to enhance the likelihood of bacterial transformation.

Question 12

electroporation

Answer 12

A method that involves delivering an electric shock to bacterial membranes to increase their membrane permeability and increase the likelihood of bacterial transformation.