Biology midterm 3 part 2 Flashcards
Summarize the process of PCR and Compare it to DNA Replication
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is a laboratory technique used to rapidly amplify a specific segment of DNA by repeatedly cycling through three steps: denaturation (separating DNA strands), annealing (primers binding to target sequence), and extension (new DNA strands synthesized by polymerase), while DNA replication is a natural process where the entire genome is copied within a cell, involving initiation, elongation, and termination steps, with higher fidelity and utilizing different enzymes compared to PCR; essentially, PCR targets a specific DNA region in a controlled environment using artificial primers, while DNA replication copies the whole genome within a cell using specialized enzymes and RNA primers.
Describe the early discoveries in molecular biology including PCR and
DNA sequencing
Early discoveries in molecular biology, particularly related to PCR and DNA sequencing, saw the identification of DNA’s structure by Watson and Crick in 1953, followed by the development of DNA polymerase by Arthur Kornberg, which laid the groundwork for later techniques like PCR
Illustrate how these discoveries were applied into technologies
Scientific discoveries like the understanding of electricity led to the development of technologies like the electric motor and light bulb, while the discovery of the structure of DNA paved the way for genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR, allowing for targeted gene editing in medicine and agriculture; essentially, new knowledge from scientific discoveries becomes the foundation for creating practical applications and inventions that improve our lives
Describe how scientists can analyze DNA profiles and how this information is applied
Scientists analyze DNA profiles by extracting DNA from a sample, then using a technique called Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) to amplify specific regions of the DNA called Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), which vary in length between individuals; these amplified STRs are then separated by size using capillary electrophoresis, allowing scientists to generate a unique DNA profile by comparing the lengths of the STRs at multiple locations on the DNA molecule; this profile can then be compared to other profiles in a database to identify potential suspects in criminal investigations or to establish paternity in family cases
Evaluate how we utilize biotechnology in law, health, and science
Biotechnology plays a significant role in law, health, and science by providing tools for genetic analysis, disease diagnosis and treatment, and forensic identification, which in turn necessitates legal frameworks to regulate its use, manage ethical concerns, and protect intellectual property related to these advancements; essentially, biotechnology is a key driver of innovation in these fields, but its application must be carefully monitored and governed by legal frameworks to ensure responsible use and public safety
Describe how scientists manipulate DNA to produce genetically modified
products
To produce genetically modified products, scientists manipulate DNA by identifying a desired trait from one organism, isolating the gene responsible for that trait, and then inserting that gene into the DNA of another organism, essentially giving the new organism the ability to express the desired trait; this process often involves using specialized enzymes to cut and splice DNA segments, and can be achieved through techniques like bacterial plasmids or gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely target and modify specific DNA sequences
Examine how the structure of DNA fits in the central dogma
The structure of DNA perfectly aligns with the central dogma of molecular biology by providing a stable, double-stranded molecule with a specific sequence of nucleotide bases that can be “read” to generate RNA during transcription, which then serves as the template for protein synthesis during translation, effectively translating the genetic code stored in DNA into functional proteins.
Outline the process of DNA to RNA to protein
The process of DNA to RNA to protein is called the “central dogma” of molecular biology, and it consists of two key steps: transcription (DNA to RNA) and translation (RNA to protein)
Compare and contrast transcription and translation
Transcription is the process of copying genetic information from DNA into a messenger RNA (mRNA) molecule, while translation takes the information in mRNA and uses it to synthesize a protein by assembling amino acids into a polypeptide chain; essentially, transcription is like “rewriting” the genetic code in a different form (RNA), while translation is “translating” that code into a functional protein
