Biotechnology

• Biotechnology Applications


  Used to amplify the DNA regions of interest
• PCR (polymerase chain reaction)

  1. Mimics natural DNA replication

  2. Amplifies DNA for sequencing
• PCR was brought about due to limited quantity of extracting DNA for sequencing
• Situations PCR is Used

  • Early detection of infectious disease
  • Migration information
  • Amplify DNA to recognise faulty DNA that causes a genetic disease
• PCR is used to amplify minute samples of DNA to testable amounts
• Fossil DNA is often in minute quantities
• Gel Electrophoresis


  The process of determining the order of nucleotides in the DNA, separating the DNA strands based on their length
• Information Shown by a Gel Plate in Electrophoresis


  • DNA profile
  • DNA fingerprint
  • DNA (or RNA proteins) present in a sample
• DNA Sequencing


  Determining the precise order of nucleotides in a sample of DNA<|>Allows comparison for DNA sequences<|>Detects small insertions and deletions<|>Can show whether a person will develop a hereditary disease
• mtDNA


  Genetic material found with mitochondria in small, circular plasmid form, inherited from the mother via the mitochondria in her ova
• Mutations occur more readily in mtDNA
• Similarities in mtDNA between traditional owner and hair sample

  Can be used to identify relatedness
• The less the diversity in mtDNA, the more closely related the individuals are
• Ubiquitous Protein


  A protein present in all kinds of cells
• Cytochrome C can be compared and used to infer how recently the common ancestor of two species existed