Gene Technology Flashcards
plasmid
small, circular pieces of double stranded DNA found in bacterial cells
replicate independently
used in genetic engineering for creating recombinant DNA
gene expression
the process that leads to the transformation of the information stored in a gene into a functional gene product (usually a protein or RNA molecule).
transformation (transformed)
cells that have had foreign DNA incorporated into them
restriction enzyme
endonuclease
occurs naturally in bacteria
can cut DNA at a particular site
DNA ligase
an enzyme that joins together fragments of DNA by forming a phosphodiester bond of adjacent nucleotides (between phosphate and sugar)
gel electrophoresis
a technique used to separate fragments of DNA, or different proteins, based on their molecular weight (or length).
Heavier fragments are closer to the negative charge and lighter fragments migrate towards the positive end.
recombination
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recombinant DNA
DNA that has been genetically engineered by joining fragments of DNA from two or more organisms
recombinant plasmid
a plasmid containing a foreign gene that has been inserted by the use of restriction enzymes and DNA ligase.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
a laboratory technique used to amplify (make millions of copies of) a piece of DNA in a short period of time.
lawn growth
steady growth of bacteria (even)
colony growth
when bacteria grows in small colonies
ethics of gene technology…
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rational drug design
directed chemical and computer aided design of a drug based on knowledge of the shape and charge of the target molecule.
transgenic
an organism with a genetic modification (GM) made by a transfer of specific gene(s) from another organism
