Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology Flashcards
What is the process of Gel Electrophoresis?
- technique used to separate fragments of DNA in an effort to identify its origin.
- enzymes used to chop up the long filaments of DNA into varying sizes of fragments.
- DNA fragments are placed into small holes in the gel, which are aligned along one end.
- gel exposed to an electric current - positive on one side/negative on the other.
Why is PCR useful?
When collecting DNA from the scene of a crime of a cheek smear, often only very limited numbers of cells are available. By using PCR, millions of copies of DNA can be obtained in just a few hours. Such quantities are large enough to get results from using gel electrophoresis.
What is the effect of Gel Electrophoresis?
Biggest, heaviest and least charged particles do not move easily through the gel so they get stuck very close to the holes they where in at the origin.
The smallest, least massive and most charged particles pass through the gel to the other side with little difficulty.
Intermediate particles are distributed in between.
In the end, the fragments leave a banded pattern of DNA.
DNA Profiling
- process of matching an unknown sample of DNA with a known sample to see. If they correspond is called DNA profiling.
- if after the separation by gel electrophoresis the pattern of bands formed by two samples of DNA fragments is identical it means both most certainly came from the same individual.
- if the patterns are similar it means the two individuals are probably related.
When can DNA profiling be helpful?
- forensics crimes investigations
- parentage issues
- animal breeding pedigrees
- disease detection
What is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)?
A laboratory technique which takes a very small quantity of DNA and copies all the nucleic acid in it to make millions of copies of DNA.
- PCR is the cloning of DNA.
- *can produce sufficient DNA in 20 cycles.
What is a Genome?
A set of genes that make a certain species.
Why is the amino acid sequence of the polypeptides translated unchanged when transferred between species?
Because the genetic code is universal.
*All organisms use the same genetic code A T C and G.
What is the benefit of the Human Genome Project?
Getting to the core of a disease has been made possible by the human genome project as it has sequenced the DNA and made it much easier to find the cause of a disease.
What are the ethical issues surrounding therapeutic cloning?
Is it ethically acceptable to generate a new human embryo for the sole purpose of medical research?
In nature embryos are created for reproductive purposes, and all embryos should be able to become a human being.
What are benefits of therapeutic cloning?
- embryonic stem cells can be used for:
• growing skin to repair serious burn
• growing new heart muscle to repair an ailing heart
• growing new kidney tissue to rebuild a failing kidney
What is gene transfer?
Taking a gene out of one organism and transferring it into another organism.
What is a clone?
A group of genetically identical organisms or a group of cells derived from a single parent.
What do restriction enzymes (endonucleases) do?
- find and recognize a specific sequence of base pairs along the DNA molecule.
- cut the DNA at specified points.
- if the beginning and end of the gene is cut, it is releases and can be removed from the donor organism.
What is a genetically modified organism (GMO)?
Organism containing a transplanted gene.
