Unit 3, Part 2 Flashcards
What is biotechnology?
The use of biological processes, organisms, or systems to develop products and technologies.
List examples of biotechnology applications.
- Genetic engineering
- Recombinant DNA technology
- Gene editing (CRISPR-Cas9)
- Molecular diagnostics
- Biopharmaceuticals
What are common molecular techniques in biotechnology?
- PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
- Gel electrophoresis
- DNA sequencing
- Cloning
- Gene expression analysis
What is recombinant DNA technology?
A method that involves combining DNA from different sources to create new genetic combinations.
How are genes cloned?
By inserting DNA fragments into vectors and introducing them into host cells for replication.
How can recombinant proteins be made?
By using genetically modified organisms that express the desired protein.
What is PCR and how does it work?
PCR is a technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences through repeated cycles of denaturation, annealing, and extension.
What is fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)?
A technique that uses labeled DNA probes to visualize the location of genes on chromosomes.
Fill in the blank: __________ gene discovery involves searching databases for sequences that indicate genes.
Computational
What is genetic mapping?
The process of determining the location of genes on a chromosome and their distances from each other.
Define forward genetics.
A method that identifies the genotype associated with a phenotype by observing natural variation or induced mutations.
Define reverse genetics.
A method that starts with a known genotype and aims to determine the resulting phenotype from specific DNA sequence changes.
What are the breeding techniques used to introduce desired traits?
- Traditional breeding
- Crossbreeding
- Genetic engineering
- Gene editing
Fill in the blank: Gene editing uses _______ to insert a desirable gene from one organism into another.
CRISPR-Cas9
What is Agrobacterium?
A bacterial pathogen that can transfer DNA into plants, used in genetic engineering.
What is pro-nuclear injection?
A method of introducing rDNA into a fertilized egg (zygote) to create transgenic animals.
What is somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)?
A cloning method where rDNA is introduced into somatic cells, which are then transferred to an enucleated oocyte.
What are embryonic stem cells (ESCs) used for?
To introduce rDNA into ESCs and create genetically modified organisms that can be passed to the next generation.
Why is gene editing considered a game changer?
It allows precise modifications to the genome without random insertions.
What are the two main components of site-directed nucleases?
- Targeting mechanism
- Nuclease (enzyme to cut DNA)
What does CRISPR stand for?
Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat.
How does CRISPR/Cas9 work?
It creates double-strand breaks in DNA, allowing for targeted gene editing.
What is the result of a nuclease-induced double-strand break (DSB)?
Can lead to insertions, deletions, or modifications in the DNA sequence.
What is a knockout (KO) gene?
A gene that has been deliberately inactivated to study its function.
