Biotechnology

• Why are Identical Twins, identical?

  One fertilized egg divides
• Are identical twins completely identical?

  Yes and no, although the identical DNA is the same, there can be a slight difference in which genes get expressed
• What causes genetic variation?

  Meiosis (crossing over), mutations are also possible
• What does it mean when a trait or disease gets expressed?

  Traits or diseases is inherited through genes
• What can make DNA be expressed differently in separate individuals?

  Environmental factors
• What is the name of the concept that the environment can influence DNA?

  Epigenetics
• What are some environmental factors that scientists think can cause methylation of DNA?

  Exposure to chemicals
• What do Restriction Enzymes act as?

  Molecular Scissors
• Where do Restriction enzymes come from?

  Various types of Bacteria
• Restriction enzymes cut DNA at a specific nucleotide sequence called?

  Restriction Site
• True or False, Different restriction enzymes cut DNA in different ways?

  True
• True or False, each enzyme has a different restriction site?

  True
• What kind of end does a restriction enzyme leave when they cut straight across?

  Blunt End
• What kind of end does a restriction enzyme make when they make staggered cuts?

  Sticky ends
• What is Gel Electrophoresis used for?

  To separate DNA fragments by size (Electrical current pulls DNA fragments through a gel)
• What fragment travels further and faster?

  Smaller fragments
• What fragment travels slower and less far?

  Larger fragments
• What is Bioethics?

  The study of ethical issues that are in biomedicine and research
• What is a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO)?

  Any living thing whose genes have been modified
• What are Genetically Modified Foods?

  Foods that have been altered by inserting genes of other organisms into their DNA
• What is a Transgenic Organism?

  An organism or cell whose genome has been changed by another foreign DNA sequence from another species
• How do scientists place a gene from one organism into another?

  Recombinant DNA technology is used to insert a gene from one organism to a different one
• True or False, Mammals can be cloned through a process called nuclear transfer?

  True
• What is the process of Nuclear Transfer?

  Nucleus is removed from an egg cell, nucleus of a cell from the animal to be cloned is implanted in the egg
• What is Recombinant DNA?

  DNA formed by combining genetic material from different sources
• What does Recombinant DNA contain?

  Genes from more than one organism
• What are often used to make Recombinant DNA?

  Bacterial plasmids
• What is happening in the process of making recombinant DNA?

  Plasmids are the loops of DNA in bacteria, restriction enzymes cut plasmid and foreign DNA, foreign gene inserted into plasmid
• What does Transgenic Organisms contain?

  One or more genes from another organism inserted into its genome
• What is a sticky end?

  A sticky end is a single-stranded DNA overhang that is created by certain restriction enzymes during DNA cleavage
• What is a blunt end?

  A blunt end refers to a DNA sequence that has no overhanging or protruding ends
• What’s the difference between a sticky end and blunt end?

  Sticky End: Has uneven single-stranded overhangs. Blunt Ends: No overhangs, less efficient for joining DNA fragments
• What is a plasmid?

  Loops of DNA in bacteria, used to make recombinant DNA