Control of Gene Expression - Recombinant DNA Technology Flashcards
what is a genome?
complete map of all genetic material in an organism
what is bioinformatics?
collecting and analysing biological data using computers and algorithms
how is DNA sequencing carried out?
using whole genome shotgun sequencing
what is whole genome shotgun sequencing?
DNA cut into many small overlapping sections
computer algorithms align sequences
this assembles entire genome
why is whole genome shotgun sequencing used?
genome too large to do all at once
what does SNPs stand for?
single nucleotide polymorphisms
what are SNPs?
single base variations in the genome that are associated with disease and disorders
what is the proteome?
all proteins produced by a genome
why is it easier to determine the proteome of simple organisms eg bacteria?
most prokaryotes have 1 circular piece of DNA, not associated with histones
no non-coding sections of DNA
why is it useful to know the proteome of simple organisms?
helps identify genes that code for antigens - production of vaccines
why is it difficult to determine genomes of complex organisms?
hard to translate into proteome as many non-coding genes
what is the process of DNA technology?
isolation
insertion
transformation
identification
growth/cloning
what is isolation?
isolating the DNA containing the desired gene
what are the methods of isolation?
reverse transcriptase
restriction endonucleases
gene machine
how is reverse transcriptase used to isolate a gene?
select cell that readily produces desired gene - has lots of mRNA
extract mRNA
reverse transcriptase makes DNA from RNA
cDNA produced - complementary to the RNA
DNA polymerase produces more cDNA
how are restriction endonucleases used in isolation?
restriction endonucleases recognise and cut DNA at recognition sequence
what is a recognition sequence?
specific sequence of DNA bases where a restriction endonuclease will cut
what are the 2 types of ends produced while using restriction endonucleases?
sticky ends
smooth ends
what is the difference between sticky ends and smooth ends?
sticky ends - staggered cut and so can join to another sticky end if cut with same restriction endonuclease
smooth - cannot rejoin
how can the gene machine be used to isolate a desired gene?
enter desired sequence into computer
check sequence for biosafety + biosecurity.
computer produces oligonucleotides
oligonucleotides assembled into desired gene
DNA replicated using PCR
what is an oligonucleotide?
small, overlapping single strands of nucleotides
what are the advantages of using the gene machine?
any sequence can be produced
quick
accurate
no introns
what are the 2 ways to clone genes?
in vivo
in vitro
what is in vivo cloning?
transfering the DNA into a host using a vector
what is in vitro cloning?
using PCR
what is the function of DNA ligase?
joins sticky ends into a DNA sequence
what are organisms that contain recombinant DNA known as?
transgenic
how are DNA fragments prepared for insertion?
RNA polymersase attach the DNA at the promotor region
nucleotide bases of promotor attach RNA polymerase + transcriptional factors - begins transcription
at same time terminator region releases RNA polymerase
what is the promotor region?
the biding site for RNA polymerase
what is used to insert DNA into a host cell?
a vector