science ch. 13
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46 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 biotechnology | A form of technology that uses living organisms, usually genes, to modify products, to make or modify plants and animals, or to develop other microorganisms for specific purposes. |
| recombinant DNA technology | technology that combines genes from different sources into a single DNA molecule |
| plasmid | circular DNA molecule found in bacteria |
| restriction enzyme | enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence of nucleotides |
| genomic library | complete collection of cloned DNA fragments from an organism |
| nucleic acid probe | radioactively labeled nucleic acid molecule used to tag a particular DNA sequence |
| genetically modified organism (GMO) | organism that has acquired genetic material by artificial means |
| transgenic | term used to refer to an organism that contains genes from other organisms |
| polymerase chain reaction (PCR) | A technique for amplifying DNA in vitro by incubating with special primers, DNA polymerase molecules, and nucleotides. |
| gel electrophoresis | technique for sorting molecules or fragments of molecules by length |
| genetic marker | specific portion of DNA that varies among individuals |
| DNA fingerprint | a pattern of bands made up of specific fragments from an individual's DNA |
| operon | group of genes operating together |
| promoter | region of DNA that indicates to an enzyme where to bind to make RNA |
| operator | region of DNA that controls RNA polymerase's access to a set of genes with related functions |
| repressor | a protein that binds to an operator and physically blocks RNA polymerase from binding to a promoter site |
| transcription factors | proteins that switch on genes by binding to DNA and helping the RNA polymerase to bind |
| gene expression | the transcription and translation of genes into products |
| cellular differentiation | The process by which a cell becomes specialized in order to perform a specific function, as in the case of a liver cell, a blood cell, or a neuron. |
| stem cells | unspecialized cells that retain the ability to become a wide variety of specialized cells |
| homeotic genes | Any of the genes that control the overall body plan of animals by controlling the developmental fate of groups of cells. |
| conjugation | tunnel-like connection formed between bacteria |
| three ways bacteria acquire new genes | 1. conjugation 2. viruses carry genes from one bacteria to another 3. bacteria takes up loose pieces of DNA from the surrounding environment |
| Ligase | enzyme responsible for joining strands of DNA |
| mutagenesis | production of mutations |
| public concerns about biotechnology | 1. ethics of genetic modification 2. safety 3. enhancement of corporate power 4. negative globalization 5. environmental disruption |
| pluripotent | Stem cells with the potential to differentiate into most any type of cell |
| multipotent | cell with limited potential to develop into many types of differentiated cells |
| therapeutic cloning | the cloning of human cells by nuclear transplantation for therapeutic purposes, such as the generation of embryonic stem cells |
| induced pluripotent cells (iPS) | reprogrammed ("re-imprinting") somatic cells that are made to differentiate into any of several cell types; don't require cells from an embryo |
| gene therapy | creating normal copies of defective genes and introducing them into patients to cure disease |
| possible reasons for vector failure | 1. disruption of a gene sequence 2. immune response 3. inefficient at invading that type of cell 4. will only effect dividing cells |
| tissue engineering | the use of a combination of cells, engineering and materials methods, and suitable biochemical and physio-chemical factors to improve or replace biological functions. |
| synthetic genomics | creating genes and genomes from scratch and inserting them into cells |
| SINES | Repeated DNA sequences of 300 base pairs in length that are interspersed throughout the human genome. An example is the alu sequences (short interspersed transposable elements) |
| LINES | long interspersed transposable elements |
| genetic engineering | process of making changes in the DNA code of living organisms |
| cloning | The process of creating a genetic duplicate of an individual organism through asexual reproduction |
| SNP | single nucleotide polymorphism |
| endoderm | innermost germ layer of most animals; develops into the linings of the digestive tract and much of the respiratory system |
| mesoderm | The middle primary germ layer of an early embryo that develops into the notochord, the lining of the coelom, muscles, skeleton, gonads, kidneys, and most of the circulatory system |
| ectoderm | Outermost germ layer of most animals; gives rise to outer layer of the skin, sense organs, and nerves |
| denature | To unravel the three-dimensional shape of a protein or other macromolecule, as by high temperature or pH. |
| anneal | the reaction is brought down to a lower temperature and stable hydrogen bonds can form between the complementary bases of the primers and template |
| extension | the reaction temperature is raised to an intermediate level and the DNA polymerase starts adding nucleotides to the ends of the annealed primers |
| dimorphic | having two forms |
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