6.1.3 manipulating genomes

Question 1

what is synthetic biology

Answer 1

creation of artificial biological parts or redesigning of existing ones

Question 2

what is computational biology

Answer 2

using of computer-based techniques like computational models, large datasets, and bioinformatics to understand biological processes

Question 3

what is bioinformatics

Answer 3

using software to analyse biological data like DNA sequences

Question 4

enzymes used in isolating genes

Answer 4

• reverse transcriptase
• restriction endonuclease

Question 5

reverse transcriptase

Answer 5

makes complimentary DNA (cDNA) using an mRNA sequence

Question 6

restriction endonuclease

Answer 6

cuts DNA on the sugar-phosphate backbone at a specific base sequence

Question 7

restriction site

Answer 7

place where DNA is cut by restriction endonuclease

Question 8

palindrome sequence

Answer 8

restriction sites are cut in a staggered ‘palindromic’ way

Question 9

What is gel electrophoresis?

Answer 9

Used by scientists to sort DNA strands according to length

Question 10

What acts as a filter in gel electrophoresis

Answer 10

The gel - it acts as a sponge with small holes in it

Question 11

What is agarose

Answer 11

A dried powder made of seaweed

Question 12

What role does the electric current play in gel electrophoresis

Answer 12

Makes DNA move

Question 13

Which direction do DNA fragments migrate in gel electrophoresis

Answer 13

From the negative pole to the positive pole

Question 14

In what order do DNA fragments migrate towards positive pole

Answer 14

Shorter fragments move through holes in gel move quickly than long strands

Question 15

What is the purpose of the loading buffer in gel electrophoresis

Answer 15

Lets electrical charges flow through the gel

Question 16

What is the name of

Question 17

What is the purpose of the loading buffer

Answer 17

Lets electrical charges flow through the gel

Question 18

What is the name of the holes that DNA is loaded into

Answer 18

Wells

Question 19

What does the ‘DNA size standard’ contain

Answer 19

DNA strands of known length

Question 20

How do you know when the current is running gel electrophoresis

Answer 20

Air bubbles come out of electrodes at both ends of electrophoresis box

Question 21

What is used to stain DNA and why in gel electrophoresis

Answer 21

• Ethidium bromide
  Binds to DNA and shows up under fluorescent light

Question 22

Why is it important to avoid contact with ethidium bromide

Answer 22

Binds to DNA and damages cells

Question 23

What is polymerase chain reaction

Answer 23

Used to amplify (clone) DNA samples

Question 24

Thermocycler

Answer 24

Adjusts temperature during PCR

Question 25

Primer

Answer 25

Short sequences on DNA that are complementary to the bases at the start of the region to be copied

Question 26

Taq polymerase

Answer 26

DNA polymerase that can survive at high temperatures

Question 27

What are the 3 stages of PCR

Answer 27

1. Denaturation 2. Annealing 3. Extension

Question 28

Denaturation

Answer 28

At 92°C DNA strands are separated by DNA helicase breaking H bonds

Question 29

Annealing

Answer 29

At 55°C primers attach to DNA, act as starter sequence of double stranded DNA for polymerase, keeps DNA strands separated by preventing reformation of H bonds

Question 30

Extension

Answer 30

At 72°C, Taq polymerase extends the sequence by joining free nucleosides in phosphodiester bonds, 2 chains produced by semi-conservative replication