Question | Answer |
restriction enzyme | enzyme that cuts DNA molecules at specific nucleotide sequences |
gel electrophoresis | method of separating various lengths of DNA strands by applying an electric current to a gel |
restriction map | diagram that shows the lengths of fragments between restriction sites in the strand of DNA |
polymerase chain reaction (PCR) | method for increasing the quantity of DNA by separating it into two strands and adding primers and enzymes |
primer | short segment of DNA that initiates replication by DNA polymerase |
DNA fingerprint | unique sequence of DNA base pairs that can be used to identify a person at the molecular level |
clone | genetically identical copy of a single gene or an entire organism |
genetic engineering | process of changing an organism's DNA to give the organism new traits |
recombinant DNA | genetically engineered DNA that contains genes from more than one organism or species |
plasmid | circular piece of genetic material found in bacteria that can replicate separately from the DNA of the main chromosome |
transgenic | organism whose genome has been altered to contain one or more genes from another organism or species |
gene knockout | genetic manipulation in which one or more of an organism's genes are prevented from being expressed |
genomics | study and comparison of genomes within a single species or among different species |
gene sequencing | process of determining the order of DNA nucleotides in genes and genomes |
Human Genome Project | project whose goal is to map, sequence, and identify all of the genes in the human genome |
bioinformatics | use of computer databases to organize and analyze biological data |
DNA microarray | research tools used to study gene expression |
proteomics | study and comparison of all the proteins produced by an organism's genome |
genetic screening | process of testing DNA to determine the chance a person has, or might pass on, a genetic disorder |
gene therapy | procedure to treat a disease in which a defective or missing gene is replaced or a new gene is inserted into the patient's genome |