chapter 9 - biotechnology Flashcards

1
Q

what is the genome and human genome project

A
  • G: complete set of genetic information of an organism

- HGP: international research effort aimed at mapping the location of genes in all 46 chromosome in the human genome

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2
Q

what is PCR

A
  • technique used to artificially multiply sections of DNA through a series of repeated cycles of duplication
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3
Q

explain the process of PCR

A
  • denaturation: separates double helix by heating to 92-96
  • annealing: temp. is dropped so primers can anneal to strands at 50-65
  • -> primer: segment of DNA complimentary to the sample sequence of DNA which initiates replication by taq polymerase
  • elongation: of primers, synthesis of new strands by making a complete copy of templates at 72 degrees
  • -> taq polymerase: heat stable polymerase, does not breakdown when heated
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4
Q

what is the purpose of PCR

A
  • hereditary disease: sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, amplifies to then sequence gene in question
  • forensic science: amplify single drop of blood or semen or strand of hair, can later produce DNA fingerprint
  • ancestry: relationships between ancestors, amplification of DNA found in fossils
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5
Q

what is gel electrophoresis

A
  • determines ones DNA fingerprint / profile (unique for each individual) by separating DNA fragments according to size
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6
Q

explain the process of gel electrophoresis

A
  • make agarose gel and add comb to form wells, allow to set
  • DNA samples are died with a tracking die
  • bed of semi solid agarose gel is place in an electrophoresis tank with buffer solution (conducts electricity)
  • DNA samples are loaded into wells
  • electric current is passed through the chamber
  • DNA (-) moves through gel via reptation (snaking through pores of gel), towards positive electrode
  • shorter migrate faster and are pulled towards +
  • pattern of bands separated by size
  • ethidium bromide stains DNA (fluoresce when illuminated under UV light)
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7
Q

what is DNA profiling

A
  • determining individuals DNA profile via special enzymes that cut DNA at specific base sequences leaving pieces of various lengths
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8
Q

explain the process of DNA profiling

A
  • PCR: artificially amplify DNA through repeated cycles of duplication
  • profiling: DNA is treated with restriction enzymes to cut DNA at specific sequences
  • electrophoresis: separates fragments according to size
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9
Q

what is the purpose of DNA profiling

A
  • tracing ancestry, paternity tests, forensic science

- hereditary disease: identify mutated gene, compared to a DNA ladder where length and position of diseases are known

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10
Q

what is DNA sequencing and what is involved

A
  • determination of precise order of nucleotides in a sample of DNA
  • dNTP: DNA nucleotide, contain OH group acts as ‘hook’ to allow new nucleotide to add to existing chain
  • ddNTP: dideoxy-nucleotide, chain terminating, labelled with characteristic fluorescent dye, lack OH, no ‘hook’
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11
Q

explain the process of DNA sequencing

A
  • DNA sample, primer, DNA polymerase, dNTP and ddNTP combined in tube
  • denaturation, annealing and elongation occur
    DNA polymerase continues adding dNTP’s until a ddNTP is added, synthesis stops and strand ends
  • millions of DNA molecules are present, strand terminated at any position
  • ends with fragments with labelled dyes indicating final ddNTP
  • electrophoresis: DNA is transferred to polyacrylamide gel (more porous and selective)
  • gel placed in DNA sequences for electrophoresis, fragments migrate according to size
  • detected as it passes a laser beam (bottom)
  • ddNTP emits coloured light of characteristic wavelength, recorded as coloured band
  • computer inputs raw data and outputs a chromatogram with coloured peaks of a fluorescent intensity representing each letter in sequence
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12
Q

what is the purpose of DNA sequencing

A
  • shows whether a person will develop an inherited disease by comparing sequences, changed alleles can be detected
  • point mutations and insertions / deletions are readily identified
  • sickle cell, cystic fibrosis,
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13
Q

what is a hereditary disease

A
  • caused by defective genetic information being transmitted from parents to their children
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14
Q

what is a mutation

A
  • particular gene may quite suddenly change from original structure and produce a different characteristic
  • change in genetic material and can therefore be passed on to future generations
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15
Q

what is a genetic probe

A
  • locates a gene in a chromosome by pairing to specific DNA sequence
  • involves pairing a short known segment of DNA or RNA with a matching sequence of bases on a chromosome
  • DNA of known structure is marked with radioactive isotope
  • used to detect presence of alleles responsible for hereditary disease
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16
Q

what is gene therapy

A
  • treats or cures abnormalities by replacing faulty genes with healthy ones
  • occurs of single cell gene disorders
  • CF: thick sticky mucous in lungs and pancreas, mutation in CFTR gene, modified cold virus acts as vector to transfer healthy genes to CFTR cells
  • HD: mutation of chrom. 4 gene IT15, damage to nerve cells, physical, mental and emotional changes, modified virus delivers corrective gene into brain cells to boost natural shield against effects of mutation
17
Q

what is tissue engineering

A
  • restores healthy tissues or organs, eliminates need for tissue / organ transplants or artificial implants
  • requires abundant supply of stem cells, induced to grow on scaffold of natural or synthetic material to produce 3D tissue
  • scaffold is template for tissue growth, must have high pore sizes that enable cell growth and diffusion of nutrients
  • tissue growth must equal degradation of scaffold
18
Q

what is cell replacement therapy

A
  • treatment which makes use of culturing of embryonic stem cells to replace damaged cells with healthy ones
  • no scaffold, involves replacement of individual cells not entire organs / tissues
19
Q

what are the ethics concerned surrounding gene therapy and cell replacement therapy

A
  • GP: does not alter genome, can’t pass on healthy gene to offspring as new healthy cells are somatic not gametes, viruses are used as vectors (risk of infection / immune response / side-effects / allergic reaction), unknown long term effects on individual or subsequent generations
  • CRP: use of embryos (taking life away), cost / affordability, and unknown long term effects