U3 Chapter 20: DNA Tools and Biotechnology

Question 1

Nucleic Acid Hybridization

Answer 1

The base pairing of one strand of a nucleic acid to the complementary sequence on a strand from another nucleic acid molecule, is widely used in DNA technology

Question 2

DNA Sequencing

Answer 2

The general laboratory technique for determining the exact sequence of nucleotides, or bases, in a DNA molecule
-can be carried out by using the deoxy sequencing method in automated sequencing machines

Question 3

Gene Cloning (or DNA Cloning)

Answer 3

Produces multiple copies of a gene (or DNA segment) that can be used to manipulate and analyze DNA and to produce useful new products or organisms with beneficial traits

Question 4

Genetic Engineering

Answer 4

Where bacterial enzymes are used to cut DNA molecules within short, specific nucleotide sequences (restriction sites), yielding a set of double-stranded restriction fragments with single-stranded sticky ends

Question 5

Recombinant DNA Molecules

Answer 5

Involves using enzymes and various laboratory techniques to manipulate and isolate DNA segments of interest. This method can be used to combine (or splice) DNA from different species or to create genes with new functions

Question 6

Gel Electrophoresis

Answer 6

A laboratory method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size. In gel electrophoresis, the molecules to be separated are pushed by an electrical field through a gel that contains small pores

Question 7

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

Answer 7

Amplify (produce many copies of) a specific target segment of DNA, using primers that bracket the desired sequence and a heart-resistant DNA polymerase

Question 8

Plasmids

Answer 8

A small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell’s chromosomal DNA
- recombinant plasmids: returned to host cells, each of which divides to form a clones of cells

Question 9

Expression Vectors

Answer 9

Vector which is designed to allow expression (transcription and translation) of the inserted section of DNA. The vector carries a promoter (normally inducible) on one side of the cloning site, and a transcription terminator on the other side

Question 10

Nucleic Acid Probe

Answer 10

Based on the detection of unique nucleotide sequences within the DNA or RNA of a microorganism; these unique nucleotide ‘signatures’ are surrogates for the presence of the organism itself
- detect the presence of specific mRNAs

Question 11

Hybridization

Answer 11

The process in which two complementary single-stranded DNA and/or RNA molecules bond together to form a double-stranded molecule
- detect the presence of a given mRNA in tissue

Question 12

RT-PCR

Answer 12

Technology by which RNA molecules are converted into their complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences by reverse transcriptase, followed by the amplification of the newly synthesized cDNA by standard PCR procedures
- detect the presence of a given mRNA in a RNA sample

Question 13

RNA Sequencing (RNA-seq)

Answer 13

Sequencing the cDNAs corresponding to mRNAs from the cells
- DNA microarrays are also used for this purpose

Question 14

Gene Drive

Answer 14

Dramatically increase the likelihood that a particular suite of genes will be passed onto the next generation, allowing the genes to rapidly spread through a population and override natural selection

Question 15

Genome-Wide Association Studies

Answer 15

Identify and use single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic markers for alleles that are associated with particular conditions

Question 16

Totipotent

Answer 16

Capable of generating all the tissues of a complete new plant

Question 17

Stem Cells

Answer 17

The body’s raw materials — cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated

Question 18

Pluripotent

Answer 18

Cells that are able to self-renew by dividing and developing into the three primary groups of cells that make up a human body

Question 19

Gene Therapy

Answer 19

A technique that uses a gene(s) to treat, prevent or cure a disease or medical disorder. Often, gene therapy works by adding new copies of a gene that is broken, or by replacing a defective or missing gene in a patient’s cells with a healthy version of that gene

Question 20

Transgenic

Answer 20

An organism or cell whose genome has been altered by the introduction of one or more foreign DNA sequences from another species by artificial means

• transgenic organisms are generated in the laboratory for research purposes

Question 21

Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)

Answer 21

Involve a repetitive unit of 1-6 bp (1), forming series with lengths of up to 100 nucleotides (nt). STRs are widely found in prokaryotes and eukaryotes, including humans

Question 22

Genetic Profile

Answer 22

Information about specific genes, including variations and gene expression, in an individual or in a certain type of tissue
- a genetic profile may be used to help diagnose a disease or learn how the disease may progress or respond to treatment with drugs or radiation