Biotechnology Flashcards
1
Q
What is biotcehnology and 2 biotechnology techniques
A
- provide evidence for evolution
- the use of biological processes to produce useful products
- Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
- Gel Electrophoresis
2
Q
What is PCR?
A
- Polymerase Chain Reaction
- a technique used in molecular biology for producing multiple copies of DNA from sample.
- used in DNA fingerprinting, identifying diease
- allows small amounts of DNA to be replicated, producing testable amounts to use in analysis techniques
3
Q
Description of three steps of PCR?
A
- PCR mimics the natural process of DNA replication that occurs prior to cell division
1. Denaturing: two strands of DNA separated
2. Annealing: short sections of DNA(primers) are bound to the separated strands
3. Extension: the short sections of DNA are extended to produce longer strands - sequence repeated 20-30 times - in a process called thermocycling
- takes two to three hours to produce about a billion copies of DNA
4
Q
What is Denaturation?
A
- dna strands are headed to 94-96C, which break down hydrogen bonds holding strands together
- separates strand without disrupting individual strands
5
Q
what is Annealing?
A
- temp decreased to appx 50-60C
- allows short strands of DNA called primers to bind to single DNA strands
- primers are complementary to either end of the targeted section of DNA to be copied, initiates replication
6
Q
What is Extension?
A
- mixture heated to 72C
- Starting at primer, DNA polymerase reads DNA code and complementary strand is built, doubling number of strands.
- doubles number of strands, chain reaction = DNA amplififcation
7
Q
What is Taq polmerase
A
- druing denaturing step, dna polymerase destroyned due to high temp
- a heat loving bacterium called Thermus Aquaticus forms a enzyme called Taq polymerase
- does not denature when heated,
8
Q
What is an restriction enzyme
A
- cut DNA at specific base sequences leaving strands of various lengths which are distinctive from one person to the next.
- ## each enzyme has specific recognition site (dna sequence) which it will cut
9
Q
What is gel electrophoresis?
A
- process used to seperate charged molecules based on their size by pushing them through a gel
- technique able to separate DNA strands based on their length
10
Q
Describe process of gel electrophoresis? 6 steps
A
- dna placed in wells in a semi-solid gel that is immersed into a solution of an electrolyte
- electrolytes at either end of gel
- negative electrode closest to DNA, positive opposite side
- electric current passes through gel, negatively charged DNA moves towards positive electrode
- smaller DNA piece move faster and further than larger ones
- the resulting pattern of bands is an individuals unique DNA profile, often called DNA fingerprint
11
Q
How does dna move in gel electrophoresis
A
-Dna will move through the gel rather than difuse through the solution
- DNA needs to be accurately filled in wells using micropipettes
12
Q
How is a dna profile produced?
A
- using restriciton enzymes to cut DNA into smaller lengths that are separated by gel electrophoresis, using an electrical current to move DNA segments through gel at a rate proportional to their length
13
Q
What is a dna ladder?
A
- often run at the same time as samples
- contains segments of DNA with known lengths
- results from unknown sample is compared to DNA ladder to determine length od DNA strands in the sample
14
Q
What 4 princples that need to be considered when gaining an using genetic information?
A
- Autonomy: respect for the right to be self-determining and to choose whether or not to be tested and, if tested, to know and share the information.
- includes the right of an individual to decide their own future, independent of genetic information.
- Confidentiality: the use of genetic information is treated sensitively, is accessed only by those who are authorised to access it.
- Equity: the right to fair and equal treatment regardless of genetic information
- Privacy: the right to be left alone and to make decions regarding genetic testing and the resulting information, independent of others.
15
Q
What is a genome?
A
The complete set of DNA in each cell of an organism
