DNA technologies Flashcards
What is used to cut genes from a strand of DNA for cloning?
Restriction enzymes
What is a plasmid?
A small circular DNA strand in a cell, which can replicate independently of the chromosomes
Where are plasmids usually found?
In the cytoplasm of a bacterium or protozoan.
In DNA cloning, after a gene has been cut out of a strand of DNA, what is done next?
It is pasted into a plasmid
What do you need to add when you want a gene to connect up with a plasmid?
DNA ligase
In DNA cloning, after the gene has been inserted into the plasmid, what is the next step?
Add the plasmids to a solution with an organism such as E. coli and apply a heat shock which cases the bacteria to take in the plasmids.
In DNA cloning, how do you ensure that only the bacteria which took in the plasmids replicate in culture?
As well as the gene of interest, also paste a gene for antibiotic resistance into the plasmid, then include antibiotics in the culture medium so that only the bacteria with plasmids in them will grow.
What is the process by which target gene carrying plasmids are introduced into bacteria called?
Transformation
What is recombinant DNA?
DNA which has been assembled out of fragments from multiple different original sources
How does restriction enzyme “know” where to cut?
A restriction enzyme is a DNA-cutting enzyme that recognizes a specific target sequence and cuts DNA into two pieces at or near that site.
