Term | Definition |
restriction enzymes | enzymes that cut DNA molecules at specific nucleotide sequences |
gel electrophoresis | when an electrical current is used to separate a mixture of DNA fragments from each other |
restriction map | maps that show the lengths of DNA fragments between restriction sites in a strand of DNA |
polymerase chain reaction | 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 fingerprint | a representation of part 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 | the 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 chromosome and that replicate on their own within the cell |
transgenic | having one or more genes from another organism inserted into one's genome |
gene knockout | disrupting the function of a gene |
genomics | the study of genomes, which can include the sequencing of all of an organism's DNA |
gene sequencing | determining the order of DNA nucleotides in genes or in genomes |
Human Genome Project | project in which the goals are to map and sequence all of the DNA base pairs of the human chromosomes and to identify all of 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 expressions, 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 disease |