DNA technology and genomics

Question 1

what are some biotechnology break-throughs?

Answer 1

insulin

rice
- enriched with beta-carotene and iron
bananas
- edible hepatitis vaccine

Question 1

What is recombinant DNA of DNA technology?

Answer 1

-DNA made in vitro from various DNA pieces
-allows for DNA sequencing
-allows for gene manipulation and production

Question 2

what are restriction enzymes of recombinant DNA?

Answer 2

They create “sticky ends”, which are overhangs that can join with other DNA fragments cut by the same enzyme.
This allows scientists to splice (combine) or copy DNA for genetic experiments.
DNA ligase is another enzyme that acts like glue to seal the DNA fragments together, forming a new DNA molecule.

Question 3

what are plasmids?

Answer 3

its a ring of DNA
- they are found in bacteria
-Plasmids are small, circular DNA pieces found in bacteria.

Scientists can add desired genes to plasmids.
The modified plasmids can then be inserted into bacteria.
Once inside, the bacteria amplify (copy) the plasmid, producing many copies of the gene.
This process is used for gene cloning and genetic engineering to study genes or produce proteins.

Question 4

what is DNA cloning?

Answer 4

DNA cloning is the process of making multiple copies of a specific gene or DNA segment.

It involves inserting the DNA into bacteria using plasmids.
The bacteria replicate, creating many copies of the DNA.
This technique is used for mass-producing proteins or enzymes for research or medical purposes.

Question 5

what is CRISPR- gene editing ?

Answer 5

• palindromic sequence
  -triggers a immune response in bacteria

What CRISPR is: It stands for Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats. It originally comes from bacteria, where it works as an immune defense to recognize and cut viruses.

How it works in gene editing: Scientists use CRISPR to target specific DNA sequences in organisms.

A protein called Cas9 acts like a pair of “molecular scissors” to cut the DNA at a specific location.
Guide RNA directs Cas9 to the right spot in the DNA.
Applications: It can be used to delete faulty genes or insert new, healthy genes into DNA, allowing for potential treatment of genetic disorders.

Question 6

what is ELISA? or DNA microarrays?

Answer 6

test for gene of many genes at once
- can reveal patterns of gene expression in different kinds of cells

Question 7

what is electrophoreses?

Answer 7

Dna can be seperated by size and charge
- DNA IS placed in a gel and electricity is run through

• bigger particles move slower
  -small segmants move up faster

How it works:

DNA is negatively charged because of its phosphate backbone.
The DNA is placed in a gel, and an electric current is applied.
What happens:

The electric current causes DNA fragments to move through the gel.
Smaller fragments move faster and travel farther, while larger fragments move slower.

Question 8

what is PCR? Polymerase Chain reaction

Answer 8

What it does: PCR makes millions of copies of a specific DNA segment, making it easier to study.

How it works:

The DNA is heated to separate the strands.
The temperature is then lowered to allow special primers to attach.
DNA polymerase enzyme helps build new DNA strands.
Why it’s useful: It’s a rapid process that can produce a large number of DNA copies in a short time, useful in research, forensics, and medical diagnostics.

-cycle can be repeated 30-40 times

Question 9

What is gene therapy?

Answer 9

Gene therapy is a technique used to alter genes in order to treat genetic disorders:

What it does: It aims to fix or replace defective genes responsible for disease.

How it works:

A vector, like a retrovirus, is used to deliver the healthy gene into the patient’s cells.
The vector inserts the normal gene into the patient’s DNA.
Potential use: It’s especially useful for treating diseases caused by a single defective gene, such as certain genetic disorders.

Question 10

what is trangenic or trangenetics?

Answer 10

DNA from one species is inserted into another
- bacteria or other animals
- used mostly is agriculture, can insert genes for :
-larger plant size
-leaner meat

Question 11

What are transgenic animals?

Answer 11

-contain genes from other organisms

Question 12

what is germ-line gene therapy?

Answer 12

use trangenic cells into stem cells
-whole organism

Question 13

what is somatic gene therapy of transgenic therapy?

Answer 13

cells injected into tissue
-to correct disease
eg. pancreas

Question 14

what is SCID or severe combined immunodeficiency?

Answer 14

is a genetic disorder where the immune system is severely weakened:

Cause:

It’s an inherited disorder where the person lacks an enzyme called adenosine deaminase (ADA).
This leads to a deficiency of B and T cells, making the person highly susceptible to infections.
Gene Therapy Approach:

Involves introducing the gene for ADA into the patient’s T cells.
The genetically modified T cells are then reintroduced into the patient to help restore immune function.
Results:

There have been encouraging outcomes, showing potential for gene therapy to treat SCID effectively.

Question 15

what is used in animal cloning?

Answer 15

totipotent cell - capable of generating a complete new organism

cloning- using one or more somatic cells to make another genetically identical individual
-The nucleus of a somatic cell is transferred into an egg cell that has had its own nucleus removed. This creates an embryo that can develop into a clone.

-issues have health issues and short life

Question 16

how does cloning of plants work?

Answer 16

In plant cloning, some differentiated cells are considered totipotent, meaning they can revert to a less specialized state and develop into a complete new plant. Here’s a simplified explanation:

Totipotency in Plants:

Even specialized plant cells can become totipotent and give rise to all cell types needed for a mature plant.
This means that a single cell from a plant can be used to clone the entire plant.
Cloning Process:

A small fragment of the plant (e.g., from a root) is cultured in a nutrient medium, causing the cells to divide.
These cells can develop into an embryonic plant and eventually a fully grown plant.
Conclusion:

In plants, totipotency allows for easy cloning, as many somatic cells can regenerate into a whole organism.

Question 17

what are stem cells?

Answer 17

• unspecialized cell
  -can reproduce indefinitely
  -Differentiate:

Given the right conditions, stem cells can develop into various specialized cell types (e.g., muscle cells, nerve cells).

-have ability to play role in growth, repair, and regeneration

Question 18

what are pluripotent stem cells?

Answer 18

-Can become several types of cells but not all cell types.
These cells are found in bone marrow and other tissues.
They can give rise to various cell types within a certain range (e.g., blood cells, liver cells).

Question 19

what is totipotent stem cells?

Answer 19

-Have the potential to become any cell type, including embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues (like the placenta).
These cells are found in the early stages of embryonic development (e.g., the fertilized egg).

Question 20

what is cell differentiation?

Answer 20

Same DNA, Different Roles:
All cells in the body have the same DNA, but they can develop into different cell types (e.g., muscle, nerve) by activating or deactivating different genes.
Gene Expression:
Gene expression (which genes are turned on or off) determines the cell’s function.
Differences in gene activity, not differences in the DNA itself, lead to various cell types.

• differences gene expression all of the cell of the body have same DNA except gametes, but expression tells us what is being seen.