DNA, Recombinant DNA, & Genetic Engineering

• The four bases found in DNA are adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), and guanine (G).
• DNA is the information molecule that stores instructions for making proteins, acting as the blueprints of an organism
• DNA molecules are polymers made up of nucleotide monomers
• The four nucleotide monomers of DNA are A, C, T, G, each composed of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nucleobase
• Phosphodiester bonds in DNA polymers connect the 5’ carbon of one nucleotide to the 3’ carbon of another nucleotide
• Chromosomes are made of two DNA polymers that stick together via non-covalent hydrogen bonds, forming a double helix structure
• DNA polymers direct the production of proteins, which are polymers of amino acids with various functions in cells
• A chromosome consists of smaller segments called genes, which are further divided into three nucleotide subsegments called codons
• Recombinant DNA technology involves manipulating and isolating DNA segments to create recombinant DNA with new functions
• CRISPR Cas9 is a technique that allows precise genome editing by recognizing and cutting target DNA sequences
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have altered genetic material through genetic engineering techniques, with applications in crop improvement, medicines, and industry
• Applications in Crop Improvement:

  • Distant Hybridization allows gene transfer between distantly related species
  • Development of Transgenic Plants for disease and pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and quality improvement
  • Development of Root Nodules in Cereal Crops to fix atmospheric nitrogen
  • Development of C4 Plants for increased photosynthetic efficiency
• Applications in Medicines:

  • Production of Antibiotics from fungi like Penicillium and Streptomyces
  • Production of Hormone Insulin using genetically engineered bacteria?

  • Medicines
• Industrial Applications:

  • Production of chemical compounds, improvement of fermentation processes, and waste protein production
  • Developing efficient microorganisms for cleaning pollutants
• Each nucleotide has three parts - a sugar molecule (deoxyribose), a phosphate group, and one of four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, or guanine).
• What is the term for the enzyme responsible for cutting the DNA so that the process for recombinant DNA to proceed?

  Restriction enzyme or Restriction Endonucleases
• It is the information molecule. 

  
  

  DNA
• DNA stores instructions for making other large molecules, called proteins.
• A gene is a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building a specific protein.
• Polymers are large molecules that are built up by repeatedly linking together smaller molecules, called monomers.
• DNA monomers are called nucleotides
• DNA > POLYMERS > MONOMERS = NUCLEOTIDES
• The nucleotide monomers in a DNA polymer are connected by strong electromagnetic attractions called phosphodiester bonds.
• Phosphodiester bonds are part of a larger class of electromagnetic attractions between atoms that chemists refer to as covalent bonds.
• Chromosomal DNA consists of two DNA polymers that make up a 3-dimensional (3D) structure called a double helix.
• In a double helix structure, the strands of DNA run antiparallel, meaning the 5’ end of one DNA strand is parallel with the 3’ end of the other DNA strand.
• A protein is one or more polymers of monomers called amino acids.
• Proteins are the workhorse molecules in your cells.
• DNA polymers direct the production of other polymers called proteins
• A chromosome consists of smaller segments called genes
• Each gene is further divided into three nucleotide subsegments called codons
• A vector is needed to transfer a gene into a host cell.
• A plasmid is a circular piece of DNA in a bacteria.
• Examples of vectors are plasmids or viruses.
• What is the starting stage of Recombinant DNA?

  The gene of interest is taken from its source.
• In chronological order, what stage is this?

  The desired protein is produced.

  5th stage.
• What is the process by which pieces of DNA are transferred from one organism to another?

  Genetic Engineering.
• In recombinant DNA process, what stage is this?

  The host cell now contains recombinant DNA.

  3rd stage.
• The gene is inserted into the DNA of another (host) cell. This produces recombinant DNA, what stage is this?

  2nd stage.
• The host cell multiplies. 4th or 5th?

  4th