DNA Technology Flashcards
Biotechnology
the use of natural biological systems to achieve a purpose desired by humans for which the system did not specifically evolve to accomplish
What are some examples of biotechnology?
GMOs
Stem cells
Genetic Engineering
the purposeful modification of the genomes of organisms to either improve the characteristics of the organism or make a biotechnology product
PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
a laboratory process by which a targeted DNA segment can be amplified(copied)
What does PCR use to artificially run DNA replication in a test tube?
DNA Polymerase enzyme
What is the first step in PCR?
Denaturation: DNA is separated into two separate strands with heat
What is the second step in PCR?
Annealing: when the temperature is lowered, oligonucleotide primers hybridize to each DNA strand
What is the third step in PCR?
Extension: when the temperature is raised again, an engineered polymerase adds complementary base pairs to each of the single DNA strands, creating double-stranded DNA
How many cycles of PCR must be completed to yield 1 million copies of DNA?
30-35
Why is PCR called a “chain reaction”?
because the same DNA sample is repeatedly replicated
Taq Polymerase
discovered in bacteria that lives in hot springs; evolved polymerase so it will not denature at 95 degrees C
What is DNA profiling?
when DNA is taken from a particular location, a non-coding section is identified and the number of repeated segments in that section are determined
STRs
Short Tandem Repeats: the repeated segments in the non-coding section of DNA obtained
Where does the number of copies of STRs come from?
Inherited from parents
How can we establish a specific genomic pattern using DNA profiling?
by looking at multiple STRs
How many STRs does the FBI CODIS use?
13 + a marker for sex
After PCR is run on the crime scene sample and the suspects, the resulting DNA is …
put into wells on the electrophorsis gel
The same technique used for DNA profiling is used in …
home paternity kits
Cloning
the production of identical copies of DNA, cells, or organisms through an asexual means
Gene Cloning
can be done to produce many identical copies of the same gene
Recombinant DNA (rDNA)
DNA that contains genes from more than one source organism
What does a technician require in order to create rDNA?
a vector: a means by which the genes of interest can be inserted into a host cell
Plasmid
a small accessory ring of DNA found in bacteria that often holds genes for antibiotic resistance
Plasmids are not a part of what?
bacterial chromosomes so they replicate on their own
What are plasmids usually used for?
vectors to make rDNA
Restriction Enzymes
an enzyme used to cut a DNA molecule at a specific DNA sequence
Why are they called “restriction” enzymes?
because bacteria use them to restrict the growth of viruses
DNA Ligase
an enzyme used to seal breaks in the DNA backbone
In order for a human gene to express itself in a bacteria, …
the gene has to be accompanied by regulation regions that are unique to bacteria
What don’t bacterial genes have?
Introns, so if a human gene is inserted into bacteria, they have to have their introns removed
How do you make a human gene without introns?
reverse transcriptase enzyme
Complementary DNA (cDNA)
a DNA molecule that has had the introns removed
Genome Editing
targeting specific sequences in the DNA for removal or replacement
CRISPER
clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats
How is CRISPER used in bacteria?
immune defense against viruses
How does CRISPER work?
breaks DNA at a specific point, but it breaks both strands of the DNA at that point
What kinds of medical products do genetically modified bacteria produce?
insulin, clotting factor, human growth hormone, hepatitis B vaccine
What kinds of agricultural products do genetically modified bacteria produce?
Frost (bacteria that prevent fruits from freezing)
Toxins harmful to insects
What kinds of environmental products do genetically modified bacteria produce?
bacteria that metabolizes oil
bacteria that can remove the sulfur from coal before it is burned
What kinds of agricultural products do genetically modified plants produce?
insect-resistant everything
herbicide-resistant everything
fruits with an increased shelf life
crops with higher yield
heat & drought resistant crops
What kinds of medical products do genetically modified animals produce?
salmon that grow faster
sterile mosquitoes
cattle with health products in their milk
non-human animal research models
xenotransplantation: the use of nonhuman animal organs for transplant into humans
