Lab 7 Flashcards
What is Gene Expression?
The process by which genetic information is used to synthesize proteins, involving transcription of DNA to mRNA and subsequent translation into proteins.
What is the Central Dogma of Biology?
Describes the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein.
What is Transcription?
The process of copying a segment of DNA into RNA.
What is RNA Splicing?
The modification of the mRN, in which introns are removed and exons are joined together.
What are Genotypes and Phenotypes?
Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an organism, while phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics determined by both genetic makeup and environmental influences.
What are truncated genes?
A gene that has been shortened
Non-functional
What is serial dilution?
Where you start with a concentrated solution and do a series of dilutions with a constant dilution factor
Used to estimate the concentration of an unknown sample or produce a desired concentration
In the case of gene expression, that concentration would be the concentration of DNA
How do you measure absorbance?
Through the use of a spectrophotometer to measure how much light is absorbed by a solution
Often used to determine concentration levels.
What is gel electrophoresis?
A technique for separating DNA fragments by size through a gel matrix, used to visualize genetic modifications.
What is PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)?
A method used to amplify DNA sequences, often preceding gel electrophoresis.
What is Quantitative PCR (qPCR)?
A technique to quantify the amount of a specific DNA or RNA sequence, used to measure gene expression levels across different samples.
What are housekeeping genes?
Genes that are constantly expressed
What are tips on how to pipette into agarose gel?
- Rest elbows on table for support
- Place the pipette tip just inside the well
- Gently wiggle the tip side to side to make sure you are in the well
- Don’t put the tip too deep into the well, it will cause the agarose to rupture and sample will leak
- Pipette out the sample gently
Differences in transcription compared to DNA replication?
DNA replication is responsible for cell division, while transcription is responsible for gene expression
DNA replication produces identical DNA strands, while transcription produces RNA
DNA replication uses DNA polymerase, while transcription uses RNA polymerase.
Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are used to fuel?
Cellular metabolic activity
