Chapter 14 biotechnology and genomics Flashcards
(20 cards)
What is recombinant DNA?
DNA made by combining genes from two different sources.
What does PCR (polymerase chain reaction) do?
It makes many copies of a DNA piece very fast.
What is a restriction enzyme?
A protein that cuts DNA at specific spots.
What is a plasmid?
A small circular piece of DNA found in bacteria, often used in genetic engineering.
What is vector DNA?
DNA that carries a gene into a new cell (plasmids are common vectors).
What does DNA ligase do?
It glues DNA pieces together.
What is genome editing?
Changing or fixing specific genes in DNA.
What is CRISPR?
A tool that scientists use to edit DNA easily and precisely.
What is in vivo gene therapy?
Treating cells inside the body.
What is ex vivo gene therapy?
Taking cells out of the body, fixing the genes, then putting them back in.
What are repetitive elements?
DNA sequences that repeat over and over.
What are tandem repeats?
Repeats that are right next to each other in DNA.
What are interspersed repeats?
Repeats that are scattered around in the DNA.
What are transposons?
“Jumping genes” – parts of DNA that can move to new places.
What is the difference between an intron and exon?
Introns = parts cut out of RNA. Exons = parts kept to make proteins.
What are the steps to make recombinant DNA?
Cut DNA with restriction enzyme.
Insert into plasmid (vector).
Seal with DNA ligase.
How is PCR used to analyze DNA?
Makes many DNA copies fast.
Used in forensics and medical tests.
What is genome editing?
Changing DNA with tools like CRISPR.
What’s the difference between in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy?
In vivo = inside body.
Ex vivo = outside body then reinserted.
What are repetitive elements, transposons, and noncoding DNA?
Repetitive = repeated sequences.
Transposons = jump around DNA.
Noncoding = no protein, still important.
