Gene Tech - Screening

Question 1

What are DNA probes?

Answer 1

Short, single stranded lengths of DNA that can be easily identified

Question 2

What are the types of DNA probes?

Answer 2

• Radioactive probes: identified using X-Ray

- Fluorescent probes: fluoresce under certain conditions

Question 3

How do DNA probes work?

Answer 3

• The double stranded DNA is separated.
• Separated strands are mixed with the probe
• The probe has base sequences that are complementary to part of the base sequence of the DNA (coding for the allele) that we want to find so DNA hybridisation occurs.
• This site is then identified (using radioactivity or fluorescence)

Question 4

What is DNA hybridisation?

Answer 4

When a section of DNA/RNA binds with a single section of probe

Question 5

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 5

DNA from two different organisms that have combined.

Question 6

What is the purpose of gene screening?

Answer 6

• This allows for multiple genetic disorders to be screened for at the same time

Question 7

What happens in the screening of genes?

Answer 7

1) DNA sample is washed over the array.
2) If the sample contains the target gene, it will attach to the probe (on the array).
3) Array is washed to remove any unattached DNA.
4) Array is placed under UV light.
5) Spots that fluoresce indicate that the mutated allele is present.

Question 8

What are the types of Gene Therapy?

Answer 8

Somatic Therapy

Germ line Therapy

Question 9

What is Somatic Gene Therapy?

Answer 9

• Altering the alleles in the body cells.

- Does not affect the individual sex cells.

Question 10

What is Germ Line Therapy?

Answer 10

• Involves altering the alleles in sex cells.