biotech

Question 1

where can DNA profiling be used?

Answer 1

Anthropology research
establishing an individuals identity
detecting genetic variation

Question 2

what do restriction enzymes do ?

Answer 2

they are added to DNA to cut the strand of DNA into different lengths depending on base sequence

Question 3

what is gel electrophoresis?

Answer 3

the technique of separating strands into their lengths

Question 4

what is the process of gel electrophoresis?

Answer 4

1.The DNA pieces are placed in wells in a semi-solid gel that is immersed in a buffer There are electrodes at either end of the gel. The negative electrode is closest to the DNA
2. When an electric current is passed through the gel, the negatively charged DNA moves towards the positive electrode.
3. The smaller DNA pieces move faster than the larger ones and so are located further away from the negative electrode when the current is stopped.

Question 5

what is DNA sequencing?

Answer 5

determining the precise order of nucleotides in a sample of DNA

Question 6

what is a overview of DNA sequencing?

Answer 6

• a synthetic nucleotide is added called dideoxynucleotide triphosphate that results in no more phosphates being able to attach to the OH group this allows for different lengths of DNA

Question 7

what is DNA sequencing used for?

Answer 7

• identify mutation
• compare dna
• compare species in order to track evolutionary changes

Question 8

is DNA sequencing ethical?

Answer 8

NO
-autonomy
-confidentiality
-equity
-privacy

Question 9

why can comparative genomics occur?

Answer 9

• specific proteins will have the same sequence
• when speciation occurs the new species have very similar DNA to the original species
  -over time species gradually change giving more DNA changes

Question 10

how can DNA be used as evidence for evolution ?

Answer 10

• the more similarities in the DNA code between two species the more closely related they are
• the more differences in the DNA code between two species the more distantly related they are

Question 11

what is junk DNA?

Answer 11

the non-coding sequence of the bases in DNA

Question 12

what is an endogenous retrovirus

Answer 12

non-coding sections of DNA but the RNA genome is copied into DNA in reverse transcription and is only endogenous if inherited by the next generation

Question 13

how are ERVs used for evidence for evolution?

Answer 13

any retrovirus that has been inserted into the genome of a common ancestor would be inherited to the next species in the same spot.

Question 14

what is mitochondrial DNA?

Answer 14

DNA that is located in the mitochondria
it is only inherited by from the maternal side
5-10 circular DNA

Question 15

how is mitochondrial DNA used for evidence for evolution?

Answer 15

• it has a higher rate of mutation
• the mutations are proportional to the length of time that has passed
  more mutation more time has passed
  less mutation less time has passed

Question 16

what is protein sequencing ?

Answer 16

-there are 20,000 different proteins but only 20 different amino acids
-can be compared by similar proteins between species by looking at the sequence of amino acids

Question 17

how can protein sequencing be used for evidence for evolution?

Answer 17

more differences the more distantly related to the common ancestor
the less differences the more closely related they are to a common ancestor

Question 18

what is a ubiquitous protein?

Answer 18

protein which are present in all species and carry out the same function

Question 19

what is bioinformatics?

Answer 19

using computer technology to collect, store, analyse and disseminate biological data and information

Question 20

what is annotation?

Answer 20

the computerised process that identifies the location of genes and all coding regions of a genome