Topic 6.8 - Biotechnology 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 (3)?
> 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
