Using DNA sequencing

Question 1

What is bioinformatics?

Answer 1

developing and using computer software that can analyse, organise and store biological data.

Question 2

What is computational biology?

Answer 2

uses data from bioinformatics to create models of biological systems which can be used to predict what will happen in different circumstances

Question 3

Why analyse the genomes of pathogens?

Answer 3

finding the source of infections, identification of antibiotic resistant bacteria so antibiotics are only used when necessary, tracking the progress of an outbreak and identifying regions of a pathogen that are can be targeted by drugs

Question 4

What is DNA barcoding?

Answer 4

identifying particular sections of the genome that are complementary to all species but vary between them so comparisons can be made

Question 5

How can DNA sequencing find evolutionary relationships?

Answer 5

DNA sequences of different organisms can be compared and because basic mutation rates of DNA can be calculated, this can allow scientists to calculate how long ago two species diverged from a common ancestor

Question 6

What is proteomics?

Answer 6

the study and amino acid sequencing of an organism’s entire protein complement.

Question 7

What is synthetic biology?

Answer 7

the creation of new biological molecules, organisms and devices or the redesign of existing natural biological systems.

Question 8

What are some uses of synthetic biology?

Answer 8

synthesis of new genes, synthesis of a new organism and use in biological systems in industry such as immobilised enzymes