Topic 6.8 - Biotechnology 𖦹⋆。°✩ Flashcards
what are some common techniques used to analyze DNA and RNA
༻ electrophoresis
༻ polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
༻ DNA sequencing
what does gel electrophoresis do
It separates molecules according to size and charge
describe the electrophoresis process
DNA molecules are negatively charged. DNA samples containing fragments are loaded into gel-filled walls. the current applied to the gel creates positive and negative ends, DNA moves towards the + end of the gel
what happens once the DNA moves to the gel’s positive end
DNA fragments are separated by size, smaller particles will move faster and further through the gel
what do the bands on the ladder indicate
indicate molecules that migrated to that location in the gel
what are band patterns used for
can be used to identify people
what happens during PCR
DNA fragments are amplified
why is PCR used
to allow scientists to create large samples of DNA to analyze when small samples are initially available
what are the steps in PCR
> 1: DNA is denatured (separating bonds between nucleotides)
2: primers are added (allow copying strands to know where to start)
3: DNA is replicated
how long is the PCR process repeated for
until enough DNA is obtained
what is transformation
the process by which bacterial cells take up foreign DNA from external forces.
> bacterial cells only uptake foreign DNA at specific times
how is the DNA incorporated
incorporated into the bacterial chromosomes or exist separately in the cytosol (plasmid)
when is foreign DNA introduced
during the time bacterial cells are primed for uptake
what is PCR used for
to make medicines, modify food, amplify DNA
why is DNA sequencing used
to determine the order of nucleotides in a DNA molecule. DNA sequencing techniques establish the order of nucleotides in a strand of DNA molecules