ChApter 3- Genetics- Genetic Engineering And Biotechnology Flashcards
When is PCR useful?
When only a small amount of DNA is available eg crime scenes samples of blood, semen or tissue
What do PCR do?
It’s a way of producing large quantities of specific target sequences of DNA
What are the 3 steps of PCR?
1) denaturation- DNA sample is heated to separate into 2 strands
2) annealing- DNA primers attach to opposite ends of the target sequence
3) elongation- a heat tolerant DNA polymerase (Taq) copied the strand
One cycle of PCR results in what?
2 identical copies of DNA
What is gel electrophoresis?
A technique which is used to separate fragments of DNA according to size
How are DNA chopped on gel electrophoresis?
With enzymes
What is the process of gel electrophoresis?
1) samples of DNA are placed in wells of agarose Jel
2) gel is placed in buffering solution and an electrical current is passed across the gel
3) DNA, being negatively charged (due to phosphate) moves to a positive terminus (anode)
How does gel electrophoresis separate DNA according do size
Smaller fragments are less impeded by gel matrix and moves faster so fragment are separated according to size
30 cycles of PCR can result in a yield of how many copies?
1,073,741,82
2^30
How can size be calculated in gel electrophoresis?
Size can be caliualted in kilobase by comparing it against a known jndustry standard
Draw the process of gel electrophoresis
What is gel electrophoresis used for when separated into sizes?
Process of matching an unknown sample of DNA which a known sample to see if they correspond– it’s called DNA profiling
If after gel electrophoresis the pattern of bands formed by 2 samples are identical what does it mean?
If patters are similar what does it mean for the 2 individuals?
If identical= same person
If similar= related
When can DNA profiling be used
In paternity suits when the identity of someone’s biological father is needed of crime scenes collect blood etc
What can gel electrophoresis helpful in the environment
Use DNA samples taken from birds etc to see which animals are related etc
How does gel electrophoresis work in paternity testing?
Children inherit half of their alleles from each parents and thus should posses a combination of parent alleles