Biotechnologies Applied to Animal Breeding

Question 1

What is the general goal of animal breeding?

Answer 1

To improve a population through mating and selection

Question 2

What are two general tools that can be used to improve animal breeding?

Answer 2

• reproductive technologies
• molecular technologies

Question 3

What else can reproductive technologies be called?

Answer 3

Assisted Reproductive Techniques or ART

Question 4

Define assisted reproductive techniques.

Answer 4

A general term that encompasses manipulation of sperm, egg, and embryos, through technology and procedures, in order to improve normally expected results.

Question 5

What are the three reproductive technologies?

Answer 5

• artificial insemination (AI)
• embryo technologies (ET)
• Cloning

Question 6

Define migration.

Answer 6

A movement of breeding animals (or genetics) from one population to another.

Question 7

How are AI and ET similar?

Answer 7

They are both ways of migration

Question 8

What is a downside of cloning?

Answer 8

Decreases genetic diversity

Question 9

Reproductive technologies are different concepts, however they are related because of ______________________.

Answer 9

dissemination

Question 10

Define molecular technologies.

Answer 10

A broad term that involves different laboratory techniques to study or modify DNA, RNA, or proteins.

Question 11

What does DNA stand for?

Answer 11

Deoxyribonucleic Acid

Question 12

What is the order of the Central Dogma?

Answer 12

DNA to RNA to Proteins

Question 13

Define Genetic Variation

Answer 13

A term used to describe the variation in the DNA sequence in each of our genomes. Genetic variation is what makes us all unique.

Question 14

Another word for a polymorphism is a _______________.

Answer 14

Mutation

Question 15

The four molecular technologies mentioned in class are:

Answer 15

• DNA fingerprint
• Marker-Assited Selection
• Gene Editing
• Genomics

Question 16

Define DNA fingerprint.

Answer 16

A method used to identify an individual from a sample of DNA by looking at unique patterns in their DNA.

Question 17

An original use of DNA fingerprints is ____________________.

Answer 17

Parentage testing

Question 18

Define genetic marker

Answer 18

A DNA sequence with a known physical location on a chromosome. Genetic markers can help link a trait with the responsible gene.

Question 19

What molecular technique uses genetic markers?

Answer 19

Marker-Assisted Selection

Question 20

Define gene editing.

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

How are gene edits performed?

Answer 21

CRISPR

Question 22

Are there gene-edited animals approved for food production?

Answer 22

Yes!

Question 23

What are the two gene-edited animals in food production?

Answer 23

Salmon and cattle

Question 24

Define genomics

Answer 24

The study of all genes within an organism, including interactions with each other and with the organism’s environment.

Question 25

Genomics is the ________________ of life and the ______________ are the pages of life.

Answer 25

book; genes

Question 26

Why do we want to link genotypes to phenotypes?

Answer 26

To be able to predict phenotypes

Question 27

True or False. Genotypic variation affects phenotypic variation.

Answer 27

True!

Question 28

What does SNP stand for?

Answer 28

Single Nucleotide Polymorphism

Question 29

Define SNP

Answer 29

Loci with alleles that differ at a single base pair. Will have a frequency greater than 1% in a population.

Question 30

How are SNPs and polymorphisms similar?

Answer 30

They are both mutations.

Question 31

Define biomarker.

Answer 31

A general term for a measurable substance within an organism that indicates a phenomenon.

Question 32

Define biomarker in terms of Genomics and DNA.

Answer 32

Genetic variance (i.e., a SNP) that is associated with phenotypic variance.

Question 33

What is one study used to connect phenotypic variation and genotypic variation?

Answer 33

Genome-wide Association Studies

Question 34

What does GWAS stand for?

Answer 34

Genome-wide Association Studies

Question 35

What are the four main areas of a GWAS?

Answer 35

- find genetic similarity - genotypic variance analysis - phenotypic variance analysis - Compare variances for association

Question 36

What statistical test is used to find genetic similarity?

Answer 36

Principal Components Analysis (PCA)

Question 37

Define candidate gene.

Answer 37

A gene that is known to be associated with a specific phenotype.

Question 38

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.

Answer 38

associated

Question 39

Define gene expression

Answer 39

The process when a gene encodes for RNA, which is then translated into a protein.

Question 40

Define genomic testing.

Answer 40

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.

Question 41

Define genomic selection.

Answer 41

Selecting individuals from genomically tested (enhanced) data.

Question 42

How does genomic selection improve animal breeding?

Answer 42

- increases accuracy - improves genetic merit - decreases generation interval