Intro to Genetic Technologies Flashcards
Reasons genetic technologies are used
- Predict inheritance patterns to prevent disease
- Forensic sciences
- To make super-crops and super-livestock
Examples of forensic sciences
- Fingerprinting
- Paternity testing
- Crime scene investigation
What is recombinant DNA?
- Most common form of DNA manipulation
- Joining or recombining of gene material from 2 different sources
To recombine DNA…
- You need to be able to cut and paste DNA
- Several types of enzymes are used
Restriction Endonucleases Simple Definition
DNA “scissors”
Restriction Endonucleases Complex Definition
- Cut the double stranded DNA into fragments at specific recognition sites, usually a few base pairs long
- Also called restriction enzymes
Sticky End
- Cut sites are not directly across from each other
- Cuts produce single stranded “tails” of DNA
- Easy to rejoin complementary sticky ends
Blunt End
- Cut sites are directly across from each other
- Do not produce single stranded “tails” of DNA
- Complementarity is not required, they join with any other blunt end
Methylates Simple Definition
- DNA “protectors”
Methylates Complex Definition
- They add a methyl group (CH3) to one of the nucleotides found in a restriction site
- Act like a molecular ‘road-block’
DNA Ligases Simple Definition
DNA “glue”
DNA Ligases Complex Definition
- Joins complementary bases with hydrogen bonds
- Forms phosphodiester bonds
DNA polymerase Simple Definition
DNA Builder
DNA polymerase Complex Definition
- Used to copy DNA
- Requires a primer to begin synthesis
- Can be used in PCR
RNA Polymerase Simple Definition
RNA Builders
RNA Polymerase Complex Definition
- Read the DNA and synthesize complementary RNA
- No primer required
Reverse Transcriptase Simple Definition
DNA from RNA builder
Reverse Transcriptase Complex Definition
Reads RNA and synthesizes complementary DNA (cDNA)
Vector
Any vehicle that carries DNA into host cells such as viruses or plasmids
Plasmids
- Small circular pieces of DNA that can enter and exit bacterial cells
What do plasmids have the ability to do?
To enter and replicate bacterial cells and act as vectors
What do plasmids contain?
Convenient restriction endonuclease
