Biotechnology

Question 1

What are restriction enzymes?

Answer 1

Molecular scissors that cut double stranded DNA at specific nucleotide sequences.

Example: Paper activity cutting DNA strand and inserting into plasmid.

Question 2

How does gel electrophoresis work?

Answer 2

It separates mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size using an electrical field through a gel with small pores.

Question 3

What are the main steps of gel electrophoresis?

Answer 3

1. Pipet 10 ul of enzyme mix to each sample, incubate in hot water and add 5 ul of LD into each tube.
2. Add prepared samples into wells on one side of the gel.
3. Molecules migrate to the positive side based on size and charge.
4. Stain with a dye to visualize bands.
5. Illuminate the gel to reveal separate bands.
6. Analyze the results.

Question 4

How is gel electrophoresis read?

Answer 4

By size (using a ladder), quantity of fragments (by intensity of band), and similarities or differences between samples (compare band patterns).

Question 5

What is PCR?

Answer 5

Polymerase Chain Reaction, a technique that makes many copies of a particular segment of DNA.

Question 6

What materials are needed for PCR?

Answer 6

1. DNA to be copied.
2. Polymerases (enzyme).
3. Nucleotides.
4. Primers (to start new strands of DNA).

Question 7

What is DNA fingerprinting?

Answer 7

A representation of parts of a person’s DNA that can identify the person at a molecular level.

Question 8

What does DNA fingerprinting look for?

Answer 8

Specific markers in an individual’s DNA.

Question 9

What is cloning?

Answer 9

A genetically identical copy of a gene or organism.

Question 10

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 10

Changing an organism’s DNA to give it new traits.

Question 11

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 11

DNA that contains genes from more than one organism.

Question 12

What is needed to make recombinant DNA?

Answer 12

1. Isolate DNA from donor and host organisms using enzymes.
2. Cut DNA from a donor using restriction enzymes.
3. Use DNA ligase to join the cut DNA fragment to a vector (plasmid).
4. Insert recombinant DNA into the host.

Question 13

What is the purpose of genetic engineering?

Answer 13

To produce insulin, human growth hormones, vaccines, genetically engineered crops, pollution-removing plants, and disease-resistant animals.

Question 14

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 14

An organism that has DNA from another species.

Question 15

What are examples of transgenic organisms?

Answer 15

GMO crops with pest resistance and mice with human genes for medical research.