Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Breeding Flashcards
What is the general goal of animal breeding?
To improve a population through mating and selection
What are two general tools that can be used to improve animal breeding?
- reproductive technologies
- molecular technologies
What else can reproductive technologies be called?
Assisted Reproductive Techniques or ART
Define assisted reproductive techniques.
A general term that encompasses manipulation of sperm, egg, and embryos, through technology and procedures, in order to improve normally expected results.
What are the three reproductive technologies?
- artificial insemination (AI)
- embryo technologies (ET)
- Cloning
Define migration.
A movement of breeding animals (or genetics) from one population to another.
How are AI and ET similar?
They are both ways of migration
What is a downside of cloning?
Decreases genetic diversity
Reproductive technologies are different concepts, however they are related because of ______________________.
dissemination
Define molecular technologies.
A broad term that involves different laboratory techniques to study or modify DNA, RNA, or proteins.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
What is the order of the Central Dogma?
DNA to RNA to Proteins
Define Genetic Variation
A term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes. Genetic variation is what makes us all unique.
Another word for a polymorphism is a _______________.
Mutation
The four molecular technologies mentioned in class are:
- DNA fingerprint
- Marker-Assited Selection
- Gene Editing
- Genomics
Define DNA fingerprint.
A method used to identify an individual from a sample of DNA by looking at unique patterns in their DNA.
An original use of DNA fingerprints is ____________________.
Parentage testing
Define genetic marker
A DNA sequence with a known physical location on a chromosome. Genetic markers can help link a trait with the responsible gene.
What molecular technique uses genetic markers?
Marker-Assisted Selection
Define gene editing.
Alteration of the genetic material by inserting, replacing, or deleting a DNA sequence, typically to improve a characteristic of an animal or correcting a genetic disorder.
How are gene edits performed?
CRISPR
Are there gene-edited animals approved for food production?
Yes!
What are the two gene-edited animals in food production?
Salmon and cattle
Define genomics
The study of all genes within an organism, including interactions with each other and with the organism’s environment.
Genomics is the ________________ of life and the ______________ are the pages of life.
book; genes
Why do we want to link genotypes to phenotypes?
To be able to predict phenotypes
True or False. Genotypic variation affects phenotypic variation.
True!
What does SNP stand for?
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism
Define SNP
Loci with alleles that differ at a single base pair. Will have a frequency greater than 1% in a population.
How are SNPs and polymorphisms similar?
They are both mutations.
Define biomarker.
A general term for a measurable substance within an organism that indicates a phenomenon.
Define biomarker in terms of Genomics and DNA.
Genetic variance (i.e., a SNP) that is associated with phenotypic variance.
What is one study used to connect phenotypic variation and genotypic variation?
Genome-wide Association Studies
What does GWAS stand for?
Genome-wide Association Studies
What are the four main areas of a GWAS?
- find genetic similarity
- genotypic variance analysis
- phenotypic variance analysis
- Compare variances for association
What statistical test is used to find genetic similarity?
Principal Components Analysis (PCA)
Define candidate gene.
A gene that is known to be associated with a specific phenotype.
If a significant SNP is found within a candidate gene for a specific phenotype, then we can assume that SNP is ________________ with that specific phenotype.
associated
Define gene expression
The process when a gene encodes for RNA, which is then translated into a protein.
Define genomic testing.
Combining genomic data (via SNPs), normally with progeny data and personal records, to improve the accuracy of an animal’s value as a breeding parent.
Define genomic selection.
Selecting individuals from genomically tested (enhanced) data.
How does genomic selection improve animal breeding?
- increases accuracy
- improves genetic merit
- decreases generation interval
