Unit 3 AOS 1: Glossary Flashcards
What is an amino acid?
the monomer that forms polypeptide chains and proteins
what is a anticodon?
a set of three bases on tRNA that are complementary to codons in mRNA
what is a biomacromolecule?
a large biological polymer such as a protein, a nucleic acid or a carbohydrate
what is the coding region?
the introns and exons if a gene that are transcribed into pre-mRNA
what is a codon?
a set of three bases in mRNA that code for a specific amino aicd
Complementary?
the term used to describe the fact that a nitrogenous base can only pair with one other nitrogenous base
what is condensational reaction?
a reaction in which two molecules are joined to make a larger molecule. resulting in the loss of a smaller molecule, resulting in the loss of a smaller molecule as another product.
what does Degenerate mean?
describes a genetic code in which multiple codons code for the same amino acid; also referred to as redundant
what is enzyme?
a type of protein, also referred to as a biological catalyst, that speeds up reactions within an organism by lowering activation energy
what is a exon?
a region of a gene that contains genetic information that codes for the specific protein to be synthesised
what is gene expression?
conversion of the code in DNA of a gene into a protein through protein synthesis
what is a genome?
The complete set of DNA (genetic material) in an organism.
what is a intron?
a region of a gene that contains sequence that do not code for the protein to be expressed
what is a monomer?
a molecule that forms bonds with other identical molecules as the repeating units that make up a polymer
what is a mutation?
a permanent change in the nucleotide sequence of a section of DNA
what is a nucleotide?
the monomer of nucleic acids which are joined together to form DNA or RNA consists of a phosphate group, sugar and nitrogen base.
what is a operator?
a section of DNA code where the repressor protein can bind
what is a operon?
a series of genes under the control of a single promoter and operator
what is a peptide bond?
a chemical bond between two amino acids
what is a polymer?
a molecule mad up a large number of smaller, repeating units.
what is a polypeptide?
a long chain of amino acids forming part of a protein
what is a promoter?
the region of a gene at which RNA polymerase binds, to initiate transcription
what is a proteome?
the complete collection of proteins within an organism at a given time
what is a regulatory gene?
a gene that regulates the expression of one or more structural genes by controlling the production of a protein (as a genetic repressor) which regulates their rate of transcription.
what is a repressor?
a regulating protein that bings to DNA inhibiting transcription
what is a structural gene?
a region of DNA that codes for a protein that performs a specific function for a cell or organism
what is a terminator?
the region of a gene at which transcription stops and the RNA polymerase dissociates from the strand
what is transcription?
the process through which DNA is converted to mRNA and the genetic code in the DNA is copied to the mRNA
what is translation?
the process through which the information in mRNA is converted into a sequence of amino acids to synthesis a protein
what is the universal triplet code?
the genetic coding system based on codons with three bases, shared by most organism
What are the Restriction enzyme?
a bacterially produced protein that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides call ed a recognition site; also known as a restriction endonuclease. The same restricition enzyme is used on target DNA/gene a plasmid to create complementary sticky ends.
what is a recognition (restriction) site?
a specific sequence of nucleotides that is the location for a restriction enzyme to cut
What is digestion (in the context of restriction enzyme)?
a reaction using an enzyme to break down large molecules
What is a sticky end?
short lengths of unpaired nucleotides in DNA resulting from a staggered cut by a restriction enzyme
what is a blunt end?
short lengths of fully paired nucleotides in DNA resulting from a straight cut by a restriction enzyme
what is a Palindrome?
a sequence that reads the same in both directions.
what is a DNA ligase?
an enzyme that joins two pieces of (interest) DNA by forming bonds on their sugar-phosphate backbone.
What is the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?
a technique used to amplify a sample (template) of DNA
What is a primer?
synthetic single-stranded piece of DNA (or RNA) complementary to a specific sequence of nucleotides
what is gel electrophoresis?
a technique used to separate different-sized fragments of DNA (or protein)
what is DNA stranded?
a DNA sample that contains fragments of DNA known size that is used to compare the sizes of unknown DNA fragments in base pairs or kilo base pairs; also known as a DNA ladder.
what is DNA profiling?
a method of DNA analysis in which regions of DNA from different individuals are analysed and compared.
what are the Variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs)?
a region of a chromosome that shows variation between individuals in length and number of repeats of nucleotide sequence; also referred to as shot tandem repeats (STRs) when 2-6 base pairs long.
What is a allele?
an alternative form of a gene
What is a homologous chromosome?
chromosome that have matching structural features (size, banding pattern, centromere location) and gene loci
What is genetic screening?
DNA profiling to determine whether an individual is carrying a particular gene for a disorder
What are ethics?
moral principles that guide our beliefs about what is right or wrong conduct
what is a stakeholder?
an individual or organisation who will be affected by thr factor under consideration.
What is a vector?
a DNA molecule used a vehicle to carry foreign genetic material form one organism to another
what is recombinant DNA?
DNA that has been artificially formed by combining DNA from different organisms
what is gene cloning?
the production of exact copies (clones) of a gene (DNA sequence) using various DNA manipulation techniques
What is a autoimmune disease?
a disease in which the immune system acts abnormally and begins to attack the body’s own cells (self cells)
What is Genetic transformation?
the genetic alteration of a cell, resulting from taking up foreign DNA.
What is a transformed bacteria?
bacteria that have taken up foreign DNA; in gene cloning, the foreign DNA is in the recombinant plasmid
what is a antibiotic?
a substance that inhibits the growth of bacteria; an example is penicilin.
What is bacterial transformation?
inserted a recombinant plasmid into bacteria. This is carrying a gene from another species
What is the plasmid?
a circular piece of DNA found in bacteria, used as a vector
What is Recombinant Plasmid?
Contains a gene of Interest (ie from another species)
What is Antibiotic Resistant Gene?
Allows for growth on antibiotic selective agar
What is the reporter gene?
Allows for selection/screening of bacteria with recombinant plasmid.
what is a Genetically modified organism?
genetically modified genome - there has been an alternate to the genes os
What is a transgenic organism ?
contains genes for another species. This will be both GMO and TMD
What is genome/gene editing?
the insertion, removal or replacement of DNA within the genome of a living cell
what is CRISPR?
a section of DNA containing short repetitions of nucleotides, involved in bacterial defence against virus
What is CRISPR-Cas 9?
an immune system in bacteria that uses CRISPR nucleotide sequences and the Cas9 DNA-cutting enzyme, also modified for use as a genome editing tool
What is Cas9?
an endonuclease (enzyme) that cuts DNA at a specific point determined by guide RNA (gRNA)
What is guide RNA (gRNA)?
a specific RNA sequence that recognises the desired DNA and directs the Cas enzyme there to cut DNA
What are the ethical implications?
Is a sense of right or wrong in producing or obtaining the technology based on morals and beliefs
What are the social implications?
The influence of technology on society, rather than just one or two individuals
What are the economic implications?
the availability of funds to obtain or produce the technology.
what are the biological implications?
the effect of a technology on other living organisms in a particular environment
What is Integrity?
The commitment to truly searching for knowledge and understanding. Being honest and upfront
What is justice?
Enduring fairness and equality. Fairness to all stakeholders involved.
What is beneficence?
Maximising benefits, minimising risks. - Kindness, benfit to people
What is non-maleficence?
Avoid/minimising harm. To do no harm.
What is respect?
All living things have intrinsic/instrumental value by the virtue of living. Upholding the value of other people. Respect their morals, beliefs and values
What is the consequences-based approach?
a consequence-based approach aims to maximise positive outcomes while minimising negative outcomes. Its goal is to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number of stakeholders. It can be characterised by the saying “the end justifies the means”
What is the rules-based approach?
A rule-based approach promotes the ‘means’ above the ‘end’. It expects a decision marker to follow a rule a procedure without questioning it, regardless of individual circumstances or context.
What is the virtues-based approach?
A virtues-based approach promotes decision making based on the ‘moral compass’ of the person who is making the decision. People are expected to act in a way that is good, kind, and honest.
