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Chapter 9 Vocab
Chapter 9: Frontiers of Biotechnology
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Restriction Enzyme | enzymes that cut DNA molecules when they identify specific nucleotide sequences |
Gel electrophoresis | electrical current is used to separate a mixture of DNA fragments from each other |
Restriction map | show the lengths of DNA fragments between restriction sites in a strand of DNA |
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) | a technique that produces millions- or even billions- of copies of a specific DNA sequence in just a few hours |
Primer | a short segment of DNA that acts as the starting point for a new strand |
DNA Fingerprinting | a representation of parts of an individual’s DNA that can be used to identify a person at the molecular level |
Clone | a genetically identical copy of a gene or of an organism |
Genetic Engineering | changing of an organism’s DNA to give the organism new traits |
Recombinant DNA | DNA that contains genes from more than one organism |
Plasmid | closed loops of DNA that are separate from the bacterial chromosomes and that replicate on their own within the cell. |
Transgenic | organism that has one or more genes from another organism inserted into its genome. |
Gene knockout | made by disrupting the function of a gene |
Genomics | the study of genomes, which can include the sequencing of all an organism’s DNA |
Gene sequencing | determining the order of DNA nucleotides in gens or in genomes |
Human Genome Project | has goals to map the sequence of all the DNA base pairs of the human chromosomes and identify all the genes within the sequence |
Bioinformatics | the use of computer databases to organize and analyze biological data |
DNA microarray | tools that allow scientists to study many genes, and their expression, at once. |
Proteomics | the study and comparison of all the proteins that result from an organism’s genome |
Genetic Screening | the process of testing DNA to determine a person's risk of having or passing on a genetic disorder |
Gene therapy | the replacement of a defective or missing gene, or the addition of a new gene, into a person’s genome to treat a disease. |