Ch 10 - Analyzing the Structure and Function of Genes

Question 1

cDNA library

Answer 1

collection of DNA fragments synthesized using all of the mRNAs present in a particular type of cell as a template

Question 2

complementary DNA (cDNA)

Answer 2

DNA molecule synthesized from an mRNA molecule and therefore lacking the introns that are present in genomic DNA

Question 3

CRISPR

Answer 3

system for gene editing based on a bacterial enzyme that uses a guide RNA molecule to search for and modify specific nucleotide sequences in the genome

Question 4

dideoxy (sanger) sequencing

Answer 4

the standard method of determining the nucleotide sequence in DNA; utilizes DNA polymerase and a set of chain-terminating nucleotides

Question 5

DNA cloning

Answer 5

production of many identical copies of a DNA sequence

Question 6

DNA library

Answer 6

collection of cloned DNA molecules, representing either an entire genome (genomic library) or copies of the mRNA produced by a cell (cDNA library)

Question 7

DNA ligase

Answer 7

enzyme that seals nicks that arise in the backbone of a DNA molecule; in the laboratory, can be used to join together two DNA fragments

Question 8

gene knockout

Answer 8

a genetically engineered animal in which a specific gene has been inactivated

Question 9

genomic library

Answer 9

collection of cloned DNA molecules that represent the entire genome of a cell

Question 10

green fluorescent protein (GFP)

Answer 10

fluorescent protein, isolated from a jellyfish, that is used experimentally as a marker for monitoring the location and movement of proteins in living cells

Question 11

hybridization

Answer 11

experimental technique in which two complementary nucleic acid strands come together and form hydrogen bonds to produce a double helix; used to detect specific nucleotide sequences in either DNA or RNA

Question 12

in situ hybridization

Answer 12

technique in which a single-stranded RNA or DNA probe is used to locate a complementary nucleotide sequence in a chromosome, cell or tissue; used to diagnose genetic disorders or to track gene expression

Question 13

plasmid

Answer 13

small, circular DNA molecule that replicates independently of the genome. used extensively as a vector for DNA cloning

Question 14

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Answer 14

technique for amplifying selected regions of DNA by multiple cycles of DNA synthesis; can produce billions of copies of a given sequence in a matter of hours

Question 15

recombinant DNA

Answer 15

a DNA molecule that is composed of DNA sequences from different sources

Question 16

reporter gene

Answer 16

gene encoding a protein whose activity is easy to monitor experimentally; used to study the expression pattern of a target gene or the localization of its protein product

Question 17

restriction enzyme

Answer 17

enzyme that can cleave a DNA molecule at a specific short sequence of nucleotides. extensively used in recombinant DNA technology

Question 18

RNA interference (RNAi)

Answer 18

cellular mechanism activated by double-stranded RNA molecules that results in the destruction of RNAs containing a similar nucleotide sequence. it is widely exploited as an experimental tool for preventing the expression of selected genes (gene silencing)

Question 19

RNA-Seq

Answer 19

sequencing technique used to determine directly the nucleotide sequence of a collection of RNAs

Question 20

transformation

Answer 20

process by which cells take up DNA molecules from their surroundings and then express genes present on that DNA

Question 21

transgenic organism

Answer 21

a plant or animal that has stably incorporated into its genome one or more genes derived from another cell or organism