Applictions Of DNA Technology Flashcards
What genomes do eukaryotic cells have?
Nuclear genome
Mitochondrial genome
What is the genome?
The complete complement of the genetic information of an organism
What do we use electrophoresis for?
To separate DNA fragments of different lengths.
Is DNA negatively charged or positively charged?
Negatively
How do you denature DNA?
Breaking the hydrogen bonds by heating the DNA to approximately 95 degrees
What is the term used to describe the formation of a double stranded molecule from single strands?
Hybridising/ annealing
How many hydrogen bonds are between A-T bases?
2
How many hydrogen bonds are between C-G bases?
3
What are probes?
Single stranded sequences of DNA that have been labelled either radioactively or with a fluorescent tag
What is needed for DNA sequencing?
DNA fragments
Sequencing technology accurate and fast
Computer hardware and software available for analysis
What is needed in the dideoxy chain-termination method?
DNA polymerase
Primer
4 deoxynucleotide triphosphates
4 labelled deoxynucleotide triphosphates
What are the products of dideoxy chain termination method?
A large number of fragments differings in length by one base and ending in a particular ddNTP
What does BST stand for?
Bovine somatotrophin
What is Bovine somatotrophin?
Growth hormone from Monsanto
What does Bovine somatotrophin do?
Increases milk production
What are the problems with Bovine somatotrophin?
Technical aspects
Animal welfare
Why is Bovine somatotrophin not harmful to humans?
Because it is digested in the gut
How is Bovine somatotrophin formed?
Cloned into E.coli cells where it is expressed.
Name some genetically engineered products
Vaccines
Antibodies
Growth hormones
Why is genetic modification used?
To improve some aspect that would benefit the producer or consumer
Name some animal improvements?
Increased milk/ meat yield
Increased shelf life of fruits and vegetables
Name some plant improvements?
Disease/ drought/ herbicide/ pesticide resistance
Increased yield
More controllable growth
What is genetic modification?
Inserting genes for the desired characteristic into the host’s DNA
What is needed for the production of transgenic plants?
Suitable vector
Mechanism for regenerating whole plants
Name a commonly used vector and where it is found?
Ti plasmid
Found in soul bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens
What are the symptoms of cystic fibrosis?
Inflammation of the lungs
Persistent bacterial infection
Defects in pancreatic function
Production of salty sweat
How is Cystic fibrosis caused?
Mutation in CFTR protein
What is the result of a mutation in the CFTR protein?
Sticky mucus builds up in the lungs
How can we test for Cystic fibrosis?
Polymerase chain reaction
Electrophoresis
What is the result of a mutation in the DMD gene?
Affects dystrophin
Causes progressive wasting of the muscles resulting in reduced life expectancy
What does DMD stand for?
Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
What is gene therapy?
Possibility of cloning and using a good copy of a gene to overcome the problems caused by a genetic disease
What is gene therapy used for?
Target cause of disease
Kill abnormal cells
Inhibit the spread of viruses
Which stage in the polymerase chain reaction is carried out at 95 degrees?
Separation of DNA strands
