Gene Technology Flashcards
(24 cards)
plasmid
small, circular pieces of double stranded DNA found in bacterial cells
replicate independently
used in genetic engineering for creating recombinant DNA
gene expression
the process that leads to the transformation of the information stored in a gene into a functional gene product (usually a protein or RNA molecule).
transformation (transformed)
cells that have had foreign DNA incorporated into them
restriction enzyme
endonuclease
occurs naturally in bacteria
can cut DNA at a particular site
DNA ligase
an enzyme that joins together fragments of DNA by forming a phosphodiester bond of adjacent nucleotides (between phosphate and sugar)
gel electrophoresis
a technique used to separate fragments of DNA, or different proteins, based on their molecular weight (or length).
Heavier fragments are closer to the negative charge and lighter fragments migrate towards the positive end.
recombination
?
recombinant DNA
DNA that has been genetically engineered by joining fragments of DNA from two or more organisms
recombinant plasmid
a plasmid containing a foreign gene that has been inserted by the use of restriction enzymes and DNA ligase.
PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
a laboratory technique used to amplify (make millions of copies of) a piece of DNA in a short period of time.
lawn growth
steady growth of bacteria (even)
colony growth
when bacteria grows in small colonies
ethics of gene technology…
…
rational drug design
directed chemical and computer aided design of a drug based on knowledge of the shape and charge of the target molecule.
transgenic
an organism with a genetic modification (GM) made by a transfer of specific gene(s) from another organism
GMOs
genetically modified organism
an organism with a GM made by transfer of specific genes
vectors
a vehicle used to transfer foreign DNA into a cell (plasmid, virus, liposomes).
genetic screening
genetic testing of samples of embryos, foetuses, newborns or adults to identify disease associated alleles.
cloning
copying dna
eg pcr
enzymes
protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst
speeds up rate of reactions
specific
inhibitors (enzymes)
binds to a molecule causing it to undergo a conformational change in shape preventing the molecule from functioning
pandemic
an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people
epidemic
the sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected for that population in that area
endemic disease
a disease is endemic when it is present in a specified area over a long period of time, such that cases of disease are expected.
