Genetic Control of Metabolism Flashcards
What two ways can you improve wild strains of microorganisms?
- mutagenesis
2. recombinant DNA technology
What is mutagenesis?
Exposing microorganisms to mutagenic agents to produce new improves trains.
What is recombinant DNA technology?
Transferring genes from one organism into a microorganism.
What are examples of mutagenic agents?
- UV light
- radiation
- mutagenic chemicals that result in mutations
What is contained in a newly transformed host cell?
A combination of its own DNA and the other source joined together - called recombinant DNA.
What enzymes are needed for the manipulation of DNA?
- restriction endonuclease
- ligase
What is restriction endonuclease used from in the manipulation of DNA?
Cuts the desired gene out of the donor DNA and opens the plasmid for insertion.
What is ligase used for in the manipulation of DNA?
Seals the desired gene into the plasmid.
What does restriction endonuclease recognise?
A specific target sequence of DNA bases called the restriction site.
What does restriction endonuclease do?
Recognises the restriction site and also cuts out the complementary sequences on the opposite strand.
How do the gene and plasmid slot together?
Using the sticky ends created by the restriction endonuclease.
What vectors are required for DNA manipulation?
Artificial chromosomes or plasmid.
What is a vector in DNA manipulation?
A DNA molecule used to carry foreign genetic information into another cell.
Why are artificial chromosomes used?
They are capable of carrying a much longer sequence of DNA compared to plasmids.
What do both plasmids and artificial chromosomes contain?
- restriction sites
- regulatory sequences
- origin of replication
- selectable markers
What is the restriction site?
The target sequence of DNA where specific restriction endonuclease is cut.
What is the regulatory sequence?
Controls the gene expression of the vector’s own gene and the inserted gene.
What is the origin of replication?
Initiates the self-replication of the vector.
What is the selection marker?
Antibiotic resistance genes protect the microorganism from a selective agent that can kill it or prevent its growth. This ensures only the microorganism with the vector will grow.
How can you see that the organism has successfully taken in the organism?
Using the selectable marker, flooding the organism with something it should be resistant to.
What shape must proteins be to work properly?
Folded into the correct 3D structure.
What would an incorrectly folded protein result in?
An inactive protein.
How do you remedy an incorrectly folded protein?
Using recombinant yeast cells to produce correctly folded, active forms of the protein.
Why can recombinant yeast cells be used?
They are eukaryotic cells with complex machinery that can produce more complicated proteins.
