chapter 25 Flashcards
Define biotechnology
Subdiscipline of biology that uses microorganisms, cells, or cell components to produce products
What is recombinant DNA technology?
A method of genetic engineering for industrial, medical, and agricultural purposes
List the primary goals of recombinant DNA technology
- Removing undesirable traits
- Inserting genes from one organism to another
- Creating organisms capable of synthesizing products for human use
What are the common steps in genetic engineering?
- Selection of the organism
- Isolation of the genes of interest
- Insertion of the genes in a vector
- Transformation of cells of the organism to be altered
- Isolation of the genetically modified organism
What is transformation in genetic engineering?
A genetic recombination process where bacteria acquire DNA fragments from the environment
Describe the process of transformation
- Donor bacteria lyse, DNA breaks into fragments
- DNA fragment passes through recipient bacterium’s wall and plasma membrane
- Incorporated into recipient DNA
What is conjugation?
A recombination process between two live bacteria forming a cytoplasmic bridge
What happens during transduction?
A virus enters a bacterial cell and integrates its DNA into the bacterial chromosome
What are restriction enzymes?
DNA-cleaving enzymes also known as molecular scissors or endonucleases
How are restriction enzymes named?
Named after the bacterium they are isolated from, using three letters from the bacterium and Roman numerals for the order of discovery
What are the two types of ends that restriction enzymes create?
- Blunt ends
- Sticky ends
What is the role of DNA ligase in genetic engineering?
Joins DNA fragments together by forming permanent bonds
What is a gene library?
A collection of cells or unicellular organisms that store genes from foreign cells
How is a cDNA library created?
By cloning genes from eukaryotic cells using reverse transcriptase to synthesize cDNA
What are plasmids?
Small loops of nonchromosomal DNA found in the cytoplasm of bacteria
What is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)?
A method used to amplify DNA, consisting of denaturation, priming, and extension
List the common criteria for vectors in biotechnology
- Small size
- Survival in target cell
- Recognizable genetic marker
- Required promoters
What are plasmid vectors?
Genetically modified plasmids used as vectors in biotechnology
What are lambda (λ) phage vectors used for?
To clone larger segments of DNA
What is human protein replacement?
Use of recombinant proteins such as insulin, human growth hormone, and factor VIII
What is tissue plasminogen activator used for?
In diseases that feature blood clots
What are phage therapies?
Using bacteriophages to target bacterial infections without disturbing normal flora
What are subunit vaccines?
Vaccines that consist only of a molecule or fragment of a pathogen
What is a DNA vaccine?
A genetically modified plasmid injected to induce synthesis of pathogen characteristic polypeptides
