Biotechniques Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the role of the ribosome recycling factor in bacteria?
Preparing the ribosome for another round of translation
Ribosome recycling is essential for efficient protein synthesis in bacteria.
What are the required components for amino acid activation?
Amino acids, tRNAs, ATP, Mg2+
These components are necessary for the charging of tRNAs with their respective amino acids.
List the components required for chain initiation.
- fmet-tRNAfmet
- initiation codon (AUG)
- 30S and 50S ribosomal subunits
- GTP
- Mg2+
- initiation factors (IF-1, IF-2, and IF-3)
These components work together to start the translation process.
What are the components required for chain elongation?
- 70S ribosome
- codons of mRNA
- GTP
- Mg2+
- elongation factors (EF-Tu, EF-Ts, EF-G)
- aminoacyl-tRNAs
These elements are crucial for the elongation phase of protein synthesis.
What are the components needed for chain termination?
- 70S ribosome
- termination codons (UAA, UAG, or UGA)
- release factors (RF-1, RF-2, or RF-3)
- GTP
- Mg2+
These components facilitate the release of the completed polypeptide from the ribosome.
True or False: Polysomes are assemblages of several ribosomes bound to one mRNA.
True
Polysomes allow for the simultaneous translation of multiple copies of a protein from a single mRNA strand.
Define missense mutation.
A change to a different codon
An example is the Glu to Val mutation in sickle cell anemia.
What does nonsense mutation introduce?
A stop codon (UAA, UAG, or UGA)
This results in the shortening of the length of the protein product.
What is a frameshift mutation?
Insertion or deletion of one or more bases
This type of mutation alters the reading frame of the genetic code.
What is biotechnology?
The use of living organisms to make a product or run a process
It encompasses various applications including genetic engineering.
What are the basic necessities when working with nucleic acids?
- Prepare DNA fragments
- Separate DNA fragments in a mixture
- Detect a specific nucleic acid sequence
- Propagate the DNA to use it again
These steps are essential for manipulating and analyzing DNA.
What do restriction endonucleases do?
Recognize specific DNA sequences and break the phosphodiester bond
They are crucial for cutting DNA at specific sites.
What are sticky ends in DNA?
Overhangs of single-stranded DNA
They can re-join because they are complementary.
What is the process of creating recombinant DNA?
- Cut DNA from two sources to create complementary sticky ends
- Join complementary ends by base-pairing
- Create covalent bonds between strands using DNA ligase
This process allows for the combination of genetic material from different organisms.
What is gel electrophoresis used for?
Separation of DNA based on its length
It takes advantage of the negative charge of DNA to migrate towards the positive electrode.
Define cloning in biotechnology.
The process of making identical copies
Cloning is fundamental for creating multiple copies of a specific DNA segment.
What is a plasmid?
Extra-chromosomal circular molecules of DNA capable of replication inside bacteria
Plasmids are commonly used as vectors in genetic engineering.
What is transformation in the context of bacteria?
The uptake of a plasmid by bacteria
This process allows for the replication of foreign genes within bacterial cells.
What are expression vectors?
Plasmids constructed to allow transcription and translation of a foreign gene in bacteria
They enable the synthesis of large amounts of human proteins for research and medical use.
What is the purpose of PCR?
To replicate specific fragments of DNA in vitro
PCR can amplify a single DNA molecule into billions of copies in a few hours.
What is Taq polymerase?
A heat-stable DNA polymerase used in PCR
It allows for DNA amplification at high temperatures.
What is the significance of reverse transcription?
It produces a cDNA molecule from mRNA
This technique avoids the intron problem since introns are removed in mRNA.
What did Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman discover?
Replacing uridine with modified bases like pseudouridine reduces inflammatory response in mRNA
Their work laid the foundation for mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.
What significant modification did Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman discover for mRNA vaccines?
Replacing uridine with pseudouridine to reduce the inflammatory response
This modification was reported in the journal Immunity in 2005.
