Topic 4: Biotechnology

Question 1

Difference between size of a DNA molecule & amount of DNA

Answer 1

Size: Length (How long it is) BP or nucleotides
Amount: How many molecules you have of that mass. ng, Ng. ng/NL

Question 2

When using agarose gel electrophoresis what causes the DNA to travel through the gel? How does the size of the DNA molecule affect this movement?

Answer 2

All nucleic acid are negatively charged and because DNA is negative it will attract to the positive end.
The bigger the DNA the slower the movement.
The smaller the DNA the faster the movement

Question 3

PCR

Answer 3

PCR: Copy specific pieces of DNA. Make millions of copies allows to target what we want to amplify

Question 4

If you’re going to be making copies of DNA using PCR, what components would you need?

Answer 4

• DNA Template: What you want to copy
• Tag Polymerase: Making a new DNA
• dNTP: Nucleotide to make a new DNA
• Primer: Give3’OH to start rxn
• Buffer: Change correct environment for enzyme function, iron concentration, PH, etc.

Question 5

PCR Cycles: 1 Molecule to 1000 molecules

Answer 5

1. Denaturing: Heat it up to break so make strands separate
2. Annealing: Primers bind template. Cooling down
3. Extension: Synthesis new strand. Polymerase extends so you can actually make the copies

Question 6

Restriction Enzymes

Answer 6

Nucleus: break nucleic acids
1. Endonuclease –> Come in the middle and chop
2. Exonuclease –> Break and eat from the end endonuclease enzyme
Endonuclease Enzyme: Near eachother but no longer linked. Not stable but connection is there.
Restriction enzymes are only found in bacteria.

Question 7

STR

Answer 7

2-6 repeating over and over again.

Question 8

STR Variation

Answer 8

Polymarese don’t do great in repeat. It stutters.

Question 9

Plasmids & Cloning

Answer 9

Take gene and break it. Moving one organism to another organism. Cut polylinker open and put in plasma cloning vector and study it.
Transformation and Selection: Plasma Vector + DNA Fragment to be cloned
1. Insert DNA into plasmid vector
2. Mix e.coli with plasmid
3. Plasmid replication
4. Cell Multiplication

Question 10

Molecular Cloning

Answer 10

Bacterium: Plasma in the bacteria

Question 11

GMO & Concerns

Answer 11

Genetic Modification
* Reduced ability to adapt: Succeed in one so all is genetically similar. e.g. May lose bananas because no seed
* Hybridizing with wild species: New crossbreeds that’s dangerous and if too successful will win over nature