Modern Applications of Microbial Genetics

Question 1

Define Biotechnology and give examples

Answer 1

use of microorganism, cells, or cell components to make a product
ex. foods, antibiotics, vitamins, enzymes

Question 2

Define recombinent DNA technology

Answer 2

insertion or modification of genes to produce desired proteins
ex. insulin, put gene in bacteria and they grow it

Question 3

Define vector

Answer 3

self replicating DNA molecule
transport foreign DNA into a cell
plasmids and viruses

Question 4

Define clones

Answer 4

population of genetically identical cells arising from 1 cell
carries vector

Question 5

Define restriction enzymes

Answer 5

cut specific nucleotide
sequence of DNA
molecular scissors

Question 6

What are the 6 steps in the genetic modification procedure

Answer 6

1) vector, such as a plasmid, is isolated
2) DNA containing the gene of interest from a different species is cleaved by an enzymes into fragments
3) the desired gene is selected and inserted into a plasmid
4) the plasmid istaken up by a cell,such as a bacterium
5) cells with gene of interest are cloned with either of 2 goals in mind
6a) create and harvest copies of a gene
6b) creat and harvest proteins products of a gene

Question 7

Define polymerase chain reaction

Answer 7

process that amplifies DNA for analysis

Question 8

What is PCR used for (3)

Answer 8

identifying microbes that can’t be cultured
detecting pathogens
diagnostic tests for genetic diseases

Question 9

What are the 5 steps in PCR

Answer 9

1) The required components are placed in a test tube and inserted into the thermal cycler
2) heating the DNA separates the double stranded DNA into 2 separate single strands, allowing primers to bind to complementary sequences
3) TAQ polymerases uses the free nucleotides to initiate DNA synthesis, using the primer as a start site
4) 2 double stranded molecules of DNA are produced from the 1 original DNA molecule
5) this process is repeated many times with each cycle doubling the amount of DNA

Question 10

What is needed in pcr ( material wise)

Answer 10

buffer,4 free nucleotides ( dATP,dTTP,dCTP,dGTP)

primer (RNA), TAQ polymerase

Question 11

Why doesnt TAQ polymerase denature at high temp

Answer 11

comes from thermophilic bacteria

Question 12

What are the respective temperture for the steps in PCR

Answer 12

1) DENATURATION: 94 C
2) PRIMING: 60 C
3) EXTENSION: 72 C