GENETIC TECHNOLOGY Flashcards
(28 cards)
What is the aim of genetic engineering?
To remove a gene from one organism and transfer it to another organism so that it can be expressed.
Define genetic modification/genetic engineering.
Changing the genetic information of an organism by altering the base sequence of a gene or by introducing a gene from another organism.
What is recombinant DNA (rDNA)?
DNA made by artificially joining together pieces of DNA from two or more species.
What characterizes a transgenic organism?
An organism that contains DNA from another source, such as from another individual of the same or different species.
What does GMO stand for?
Genetically modified organism.
What is a vector in gene technology?
A means of delivering genes into a cell, such as plasmids and viruses.
What are restriction endonuclease enzymes used for?
To cut DNA from viruses that attack bacteria and to isolate genes for genetic engineering.
What do restriction endonucleases cut at?
Specific sites called recognition sites.
What are sticky ends?
Short lengths of unpaired bases that form complementary base pairs with other pieces of DNA cut with the same restriction enzymes.
What is the role of reverse transcriptase?
To use single stranded mRNA as a template to form single-stranded DNA.
What is complementary DNA (cDNA)?
Double-stranded DNA formed from single-stranded DNA using DNA polymerase.
Fill in the blank: Scientists can synthesize DNA from nucleotides without a _______.
DNA template.
What is the purpose of using promoters in genetic engineering?
To allow RNA polymerase to bind to the DNA/gene and ensure high levels of gene expression.
What is the significance of recombinant human insulin?
It is purely human insulin that can be produced in large quantities.
What are gene markers used for?
To identify transformed bacteria that have taken up recombinant DNA.
True or False: The Crispr/Cas9 technique allows for precise editing of an organism’s genome.
True.
What is the main function of the Cas9 enzyme in the Crispr/Cas9 system?
To cut DNA at a point determined by guide RNA (gRNA).
What does the term ‘gene editing’ refer to?
Changing the genome of an organism by deleting, inserting, or replacing a length of DNA.
What process is used to produce many copies of a gene in genetic engineering?
PCR technique.
Fill in the blank: The plasmid containing the new gene is known as _______.
recombinant DNA (rDNA).
How are plasmids obtained from bacteria?
By treating bacteria with enzymes to break down their cell walls and centrifuging to separate the components.
What is the role of DNA ligase in genetic engineering?
To join the gene and the open plasmid using complementary base pairs.
What is the main advantage of recombinant human insulin over animal insulin?
A reliable supply available to meet the increasing demand.
What is CRISPR short for?
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats.
