gene technology Flashcards
1
Q
Recombinant DNA technology
A
- combining different organisms’ DNA
- enable scientists to manipulate and alter genes to improve industrial processes and medical treatment
2
Q
Sequencing projects
A
- Reading the full genome of organisms
- provides opportunities to screen DNA to identify potential medical problems
3
Q
How can you create a DNA fragment?
A
- Reverse transcription with reverse transcriptase
- restriction endonucleases
- gene machine
4
Q
Gene machine
A
creates DNA fragments using a computerised machine
5
Q
Reverse transcriptase
A
An enzyme that makes cDNA single-stranded copies of DNA from mRNA
6
Q
Restriction endonulceases
A
- Enzymes that cut up DNA to create fragments
- cut at specific recognition/restriction sequences
- results in sticky ends
7
Q
In vivo cloning
A
- Creating DNA fragments using bacteria
- involves restriction endonulcease enzymes
8
Q
In vitro cloning
A
Using PCR to create a large number of copies of a DNA fragment
9
Q
Uses of PCR
A
- Used widely in gene technology to make large numbers of copies of DNA fragments
- e.g. forensics, genotyping, cloning, paternity tests, microarrays
10
Q
Describe the PCR process
A
- increase temperature to 95C to break hydrogen bonds & split
DNA into single strands - temperature is decreased to 55C so primers can attach
- DNA polymerase joins complementary nucleotides & makes a new strand
- temperature increased to 72C (optimum for Taq DNA polymerase)
11
Q
Uses of genetic fingerprinting
A
- Forensic science
- medical diagnosis
- plant/animal breeding
- paternity tests
12
Q
What is gel electrophoresis
A
- Separation of DNA samples using an electrical voltage
- different lengths of DNA VNTRs are separated
13
Q
Why does the DNA move in gel electrophoresis?
A
- DNA is negatively charged and moves towards the positive end of the gel
- the shorter the piece of DNA, the faster and further it moves
14
Q
What is genetic screening?
A
Testing DNA to identify the presence of alleles that can cause/increase the risk of developing a disease
15
Q
What is genetic counselling?
A
a type of social work giving people advice and information following the screening of disease causing alleles
