Week 8 - Genomes

Question 1

Central Dogma

Answer 1

The flow of genetic information in a cell: DNA → RNA → Protein. DNA is transcribed into RNA, which is then translated into protein.

Question 2

cDNA (complementary DNA)

Answer 2

DNA synthesized from an mRNA template using reverse transcriptase. Used to study gene expression or clone eukaryotic genes.

Question 3

Reverse Transcriptase

Answer 3

An enzyme that synthesizes DNA from an RNA template (used by retroviruses and in molecular biology labs to make cDNA).

Question 4

Genome Sequencing

Answer 4

Determining the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome.

Question 5

Dideoxy Nucleotide

Answer 5

Modified nucleotides used in Sanger sequencing that stop DNA strand elongation because they lack a 3’ OH group.

Question 6

Sequence Reads

Answer 6

Short DNA fragments sequenced during genome sequencing. They must be assembled to reconstruct the full genome.

Question 7

Scarffold

Answer 7

A series of overlapping sequence reads that are joined together during genome assembly.

Question 8

Concatenate

Answer 8

To link together all scaffolds to make one long, continuous genome sequence.

Question 9

Genome Annotation

Answer 9

The process of identifying genes, coding regions, and regulatory elements in a genome sequence.

Question 10

Repeats

Answer 10

DNA sequences that occur multiple times in the genome (e.g., satellite DNA, transposons).

Question 11

Single Copy Genes

Answer 11

Genes that are present only once in the genome.

Question 12

Coding

Answer 12

Regions of DNA that code for proteins (exons).

Question 13

Noncoding

Answer 13

DNA regions that do not code for proteins but may have regulatory or structural roles.

Question 14

Regulatory Sequence

Answer 14

Segments of DNA that control gene expression, such as promoters and enhancers.

Question 15

Promoter

Answer 15

A DNA sequence upstream of a gene that acts as the binding site for RNA polymerase to start transcription.

Question 16

Enhancer

Answer 16

A regulatory DNA sequence that increases the transcription of a gene; can be located far from the gene it regulates.

Question 17

Open Reading Frame (ORF)

Answer 17

A stretch of DNA with a start codon, stop codon, and potential to be translated into a protein.

Question 18

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

Answer 18

A technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences millions of times in vitro.

Question 19

Primers

Answer 19

Short DNA sequences that provide a starting point for DNA synthesis during PCR.

Question 20

Heat

Answer 20

Used in PCR to denature the DNA, separating it into single strands.

Question 21

TAQ Polymerase

Answer 21

A heat-stable enzyme from Thermus aquaticus used in PCR to synthesize new DNA strands.

Question 22

Anneal = Basepair

Answer 22

The step in PCR where primers bind (basepair) to the target DNA sequence after cooling.

Question 23

Plasmid

Answer 23

A small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that can be used as a vector for gene cloning.

Question 24

Antibiotic Selection

Answer 24

A method to identify bacteria that have taken up a plasmid by growing them in the presence of an antibiotic.

Question 25

Cloning

Answer 25

The process of making identical copies of DNA, cells, or organisms. In molecular biology, it refers to copying DNA into a vector like a plasmid.

Question 26

Restriction Enzymes

Answer 26

Enzymes that cut DNA at specific sequences. Used in cloning to insert or remove DNA fragments.