Biotechnology Flashcards
What is biotechnology and genetic engineering?
- the use of living things or their components to make useful products
- the direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes
How does the dominion mandate relate to this chapter?
Man has dominion over all creation; however, we have to be responsible with that authority. For instance, we cannot clone humans or kill embryos by taking away their stem cells. However, we may test on animals because they do not have rights. In the same way, we may not want to do so because we are to be stewards of the earth.
What is recombinant DNA?
when a protein needs to be made by taking DNA from 2 (usually of a different species) organisms and combining them
Explain DNA/gene cloning using recombinant DNA
- use restriction enzymes to cut out the human gene of interest at two restriction sites. This occurs when the bonds of the bases are unconnected to create sticky ends (small section of unpaired bases attracted to other unpaired bases)
- cut bacterial plasmid at one restriction site with one restriction enzyme
- combine plasmid and human gene and add DNA ligase to glue them together
- recombinant plasmid formed
- put plasmid into bacteria cells
- let bacteria transcribe and translate the gene into a protein and replicate
- either harvest copies of genes for research or the protein
gene cloning
making multiple copies of DNA
cloning vector
a DNA molecule that carries foreign DNA into a host cell
restriction fragments
pieces that have been cut
Why was it important to find an enzyme that would cut the plasmid at only one site?
it would be destroyed or not useful anymore
Why might there be some different lengths of plasmids?
Because everyone has a unique DNA sequence
Why is it important to discard any enzymes that cut the plasmid at the replication site?
because that would prevent the plasmid from replication and making the protein
Why is it important to cut the plasmid and the human DNA with the same restriction enzyme?
sticky ends must pair up
Do restriction enzymes exist naturally in organisms?
Yes, bacteria defend themselves against viruses with restriction enzymes
Why would restriction enzymes that created “blunt” ends not be as useful in recombination as those that create sticky ends?
The 2 organisms DNA would not be able to connect
Explain PCR.
Polymerase Chain Reaction or gene amplification: quickly copies the DNA or RNA for studying with polymerases in a test tube
Explain gel electrophoresis.
- agarose gel created and put into frame
- DNA loaded into wells at top of gel
- electric charge is turned on: DNA is negative, so it flows to the positive side of the gel
- one piece remains dyed, all others spread throughout the gel
- the shorter the DNA fragments, the longer they go because they move easily through the pores in the gel
- dyed again to see full DNA fingerprint
