Key Terms
Biotechnology
Using biological agents for technological advancement
Genomics
Study of entire genomes Genome mapping: locating genes on chromosomes Genetic map: gene locations based on recombination
Nucleotides
Sugar + phosphate + nitrogenous base. Linked by phosphodiester bonds.
Goal
Insert a specific DNA fragment into a vector (usually a plasmid) and replicate it inside bacteria.
Purpose
Amplify a specific DNA region from a larger genome for further analysis. Components:
Process
Repeated cycles of heat denaturation, primer annealing, and extension. Each cycle doubles the target sequence.
Applications
Paternity testing, genetic disease detection, forensics, cloning gene fragments, identifying contamination.
Probe
A short, labeled DNA fragment (radioactive or fluorescent) used to detect a specific sequence in a sample.
Foreign DNA
DNA from another species or artificially synthesized; called a transgene once inserted. Recombinant DNA: plasmid + forei
Recombinant proteins
Proteins expressed from recombinant DNA (insulin, human growth hormone).
Somatic cell nuclear transfer
Take the diploid nucleus from a donor cell, insert it into an enucleated egg cell (egg with its nucleus removed), stimul
Dolly the sheep
First cloned mammal; born 1996; lived 7 years; died of respiratory complications; cloned from adult somatic cell DNA.
Therapeutic cloning
Produces stem cells to treat disease; goal is not a new organism but a tissue repair source. Reproductive cloning: goal
Genetic engineering
Deliberately altering an organism's genotype using recombinant DNA technology. GMO (genetically modified organism): any
Reverse genetics
Start with a known DNA sequence and figure out what the gene does, rather than starting with a phenotype and working bac