Lesson 9 Definitions Flashcards
Structural gene
a gene that encodes the amino acid sequence of a protein
regulatory gene
a gene involved in regulating the expression of structural genes
repressor protein
bind to operators or promoters, preventing RNA polymerase from transcribing RNA
activator protein
binds to a site on the DNA molecule and causes an increase in transcription of a nearby gene
operon
sequence of DNA that includes an operator, promoter, terminator, and one or more structural genes
lac operon
required for transport and metabolism of lactose in E. Coli.
virus
an infectious agent that is unable to grow or reproduce outside a host cell
oncovirus
viruses that can cause cancer
plasmid
a laterally transferable DNA segment, often circular, capable of autonomous replication within a suitable host
bacterial transformation
lateral transfer of genetic material caused by the uptake, genomic incorporation, and expression of foreign genetic material
natural competence
about 1% of bacterial species are naturally capable of taking up DNA under lab conditions
artificial competence
cells are passively made permeable to DNA, using conditions that do not normally occur in nature
restriction enzymes
“molecular knives” that cut DNA at precise locations based on the nucleotide sequences present
recombinant DNA
artificial DNA that would not exist naturally
