Key Area 7 Flashcards
How are mutations created artificially
By mutagenesis
What causes mutagenesis
Mutagenic agents eg. Radiation or mutagenic chemicals
Why do mutant strains need to be monitored
They are usually genetically unstable and regress into the wild type
How have micro organisms been improved in industry
Repeated mutagenesis and selection of the desired trait
What is a vector
A DNA molecule used to carry foreign genetic information into another cell eg. Artificial chromosomes and plasmids
What is an artificial chromosome
Bacterial chromosomes with non bacterial DNA added. They are preferable to plasmids as vectors when larger fragments of foreign DNA are required to be added
What does recombinant DNA technology require
- donor cells
- restriction endonuclease
- vector
- DNA ligase
- host cells
What is restriction endonuclease
A group of enzymes that recognise and cut specific sequences of DNA into fragments with sticky ends
