Chapter 11 and 12 Flashcards
(20 cards)
competent cells
cells that can live on their own
plasmids
a small circle of dna separate from a bacteria’s larger chromosome, replicates independently from everything
gel electrophoresis
Gel electrophoresis is a method used to separate DNA pieces by size: an electric current pulls DNA through a gel, and smaller pieces move faster and farther than larger ones.
gene cloning
Gene cloning is the process of making exact copies of a specific gene by inserting it into a host organism, usually bacteria, which then replicates the gene as it grows.
typically genes are inserted into plasmids
short tandem repeat
A short tandem repeat (STR) is a short sequence of DNA, usually 2–6 base pairs long, that repeats in a row and is used in DNA profiling because the number of repeats varies between individuals.
GMO
genetically modified
dna profiling
DNA profiling is a technique used to identify individuals by analyzing unique patterns in their DNA, especially in regions like short tandem repeats (STRs).
recombinant
used to describe something that a goi has been inserted into
antibiotic resistance significance in gene cloning
used to identify which bacteria gained the recombinant plasmid sucesfully
restriction enzymes
Restriction enzymes are proteins that cut DNA at specific sequences, acting like molecular scissors to help scientists study or modify DNA.
sticky ends
Sticky ends are the single-stranded overhangs left after DNA is cut by certain restriction enzymes, which can easily pair with matching sequences to help join DNA pieces together.
inducible gene
a gene that can be turned on, and is naturally off
suppressible gene
a gene that is always on but can be turned off with a suppressor
operon
An operon is a group of genes in bacteria that are controlled together by a single on/off switch, allowing them to be turned on or off as a unit.
regulation of dna packing
Regulation of DNA packing controls how tightly DNA is wound around proteins, affecting whether genes are accessible and can be turned on or off.
activators
proteins that turn genes on by helping RNA polymerase bind to DNA.
repressors
proteins that turn genes off by blocking RNA polymerase.
silencers
DNA sequences that decrease gene expression when repressors bind to them.
Enhancers
DNA sequences that increase gene expression when activators bind to them.
points of gene regulation
1) dna packaging (tightly or loosely wound)
2) transcription (will or won’t it happen)
3) mRNA processing (changes gene based on which exons get cut out)
4) mRNA breakdown (mRNA breaks down in the cytoplasm)
5) protein breakdown
