Genetics: Genetic Technology

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Questions and Answers

What is recombinant DNA technology?

Recombinant DNA technology comprises altering genetic material outside an organism to obtain enhanced and desired characteristics in living organisms or as their products.

What is the role of DNA ligase in the process of genetic recombination?

Amplifies DNA sequences

Cuts DNA into small fragments

Links DNA fragments together (correct)

Introduces recombinant DNA into host cells

Recombinant DNA technology has made significant advancements only in humans.

False

______ refers to the process of making many copies of a gene.

Gene cloning Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of vector DNA in gene cloning?

The purpose of vector DNA is to act as a carrier of the DNA segment to be cloned. Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of functional genomics?

understand the roles of genetic sequences—DNA and RNA sequences—in a given species Signup and view all the answers

What are the two methods that enable researchers to monitor the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously in functional genomics?

DNA microarrays and RNA sequencing Signup and view all the answers

What is a DNA microarray?

A small glass slide with different DNA sequences Signup and view all the answers

What is RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq)?

method involves the sequencing of complementary DNAs using next-generation DNA sequencing methods Signup and view all the answers

Proteomics involves the qualification of overall proteins present in a cell, tissue, or organism.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is reproductive cloning?

Producing genetically identical individuals Signup and view all the answers

Who cloned the sheep named Dolly in 1997?

Ian Wilmut Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of gene cloning?

To produce an enormous number of copies of a recombinant vector that carry the gene of interest. Signup and view all the answers

Which enzyme is necessary in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) process?

Taq polymerase Signup and view all the answers

Stem cells can replenish worn out or damaged cells in adults.

True Signup and view all the answers

PCR involves three steps: Denaturation, Primer Annealing, and Primer ________.

Extension Signup and view all the answers

______ therapy involves introducing cloned genes into somatic cells.

Gene Signup and view all the answers

Match the following mapping methods with their descriptions:

Cytogenic Mapping = Determining locations of specific sequences within chromosomes Linkage Mapping = Relies on the frequency of recombinant offspring Physical Mapping = Establishing a physical map of a species' genome Signup and view all the answers

Match the following products of gene cloning with their uses:

Insulin = Treat diabetes TPA (Tissue Plasminogen Activator) = Dissolve blood clots Superoxide dismutase = Minimize tissue damage Factor VIII = Treat hemophilias Erythropoietin = Stimulate red blood cell production Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used for the introduction of genetic material into cells to compensate for abnormal genes?

Gene therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for decreasing pollutants in the environment using living organisms?

Bioremediation Signup and view all the answers

Gene therapy involves directly inserting a gene into a cell for it to function properly.

False Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Unit 5: Genetic Technology

Genetic technology involves the manipulation and analysis of DNA at the molecular level.
Recombinant DNA technology is used to alter genetic material outside an organism to obtain desired characteristics.
This technology involves the insertion of DNA fragments from various sources into a vector, using appropriate enzymes and procedures.

Recombinant DNA Technology

The process involves:
- Isolation of genetic material
- Restriction enzyme digestion
- Amplification using PCR
- Ligation of DNA molecules
- Insertion of recombinant DNA into a host
Recombinant DNA technology has advanced strategies for biomedical applications, including cancer treatment, genetic diseases, and diabetes.

Gene Cloning

Gene cloning involves making multiple copies of a gene.
The process involves:
- Isolation of chromosomal DNA
- Digestion with restriction enzymes
- Ligation of chromosomal DNA into a vector
- Transformation of host cells
- Selection of recombinant cells
Gene cloning has provided the foundation for critical technical advances in various disciplines, including molecular biology, genetics, and medicine.

The Restriction Enzyme

Restriction enzymes are used to cut DNA at specific locations.
They are named according to the species in which they are found.
Examples of restriction enzymes include EcoRI, PstI, and NaeI.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

PCR is a method of making multiple copies of a DNA sequence.
The process involves:
- Denaturation
- Primer annealing
- Primer extension
PCR is carried out in a thermocycler, which automates the timing of the temperature changes.
The advantages of PCR include:
- Amplification of a specific region of DNA
- Ability to amplify DNA from a complex mixture of templates

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is the use of living organisms or substances they produce in the development of products or processes that are beneficial to humans.
Molecular genetic tools have provided novel ways to make use of living organisms.
Recombinant methods enable the introduction of genetic material into animals and plants, resulting in genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Microorganism in Biotechnology

Microorganisms are used to produce various medical agents, including:
- Insulin
- Tissue Plasminogen Activator (TPA)
- Superoxide dismutase
- Factor VIII
- Renin inhibitor
- Erythropoietin### Biotechnology Applications
Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the production of red blood cells, used to treat anemia.
Food Fermentation: utilizes microorganisms to stabilize and transform food materials, examples include cheese, yogurt, vinegar, and wine.

Biological Control

Biological control: uses living organisms or their products to alleviate plant diseases or environmental conditions.
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt): a bacterium producing toxins lethal to caterpillars and beetles that feed on crops.
Bt is harmless to plants and beneficial insects, making it an environmentally friendly pesticide.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation: uses living organisms or their products to decrease pollutants in the environment.
Microorganisms modify toxic pollutants through biotransformation, resulting in their degradation into non-toxic metabolites.

Genetically Modified Animals

Genetically modified animals: altered to introduce a new gene or modify an existing gene.
Methods include gene modification (altering the sequence of a gene) and gene addition (introducing a cloned gene into a genome).
Example: GloFish, a genetically modified aquarium fish that glows due to a fluorescent protein gene from jellyfish or sea coral.

Reproductive Cloning and Stem Cells

Reproductive cloning: produces genetically identical individuals, naturally occurring in identical twins.
Researchers can clone mammals from somatic cells, as evidenced by Dolly the sheep.
Stem cells: supply various cell types in the body, can differentiate into multiple cell types.
Stem cells have the capacity to divide and differentiate into specialized cells.

Human Gene Therapy

Gene therapy: introduces cloned genes into somatic cells or modifies existing genes to treat diseases.
Targets diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Some results have been promising, but success has been limited.

Genomics

Genomics: analyzes the entire genome of a species.
Genome: the total genetic composition of an organism or species.
Genome analysis is a molecular dissection process applied to a complete set of chromosomes.

Chromosome Mapping

Genetic map: a diagram describing the relative locations of genes or DNA segments along a chromosome.
Cytogenic mapping: determines the locations of specific sequences within chromosomes using microscopy and staining techniques.
Linkage mapping: uses the frequency of recombinant offspring to determine the distance between sites along a chromosome.
Physical mapping: establishes a physical map of a genome through cloning and DNA sequencing.

Metagenomics

Metagenomics: studies complex mixtures of genetic material from environmental samples.
Applications:
- Human medicine: characterizes microorganisms associated with diseases.
- Agriculture: identifies microorganisms that facilitate plant growth.
- Bioremediation: identifies microorganisms that break down pollutants.
- Biotechnology: discovers genes encoding useful products.
- Global change: understands the complexity of microbial communities.
- Identification of viruses: analyzes environmental samples to identify viruses.

Functional Genomics, Proteomics, and Bioinformatics

Functional genomics: aims to understand the roles of genetic sequences in a species.
Methods:
- DNA microarrays: quantify the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously.
- RNA sequencing: sequences complementary DNAs derived from RNAs.
Proteomics: identifies and quantifies proteins in a cell, tissue, or organism.
Bioinformatics: combines mathematics, information science, and biology to answer biological questions.### Bioinformatics Components
Bioinformatics consists of two main components:
- Developing software tools and algorithms
- Analyzing and interpreting biological data using software tools and algorithms

Biotechnology in Daily Life

Biotechnology is used in various products and processes that we use daily
Examples of biotechnology-related products/processes and their importance to our wellbeing include:

Biotechnology Examples

Product/Process: Food Fermentation
- Specific Biotechnology: Microbial fermentation
- Species Involved: Microorganisms (e.g., yeast, bacteria)
- Importance to Wellbeing: Provides nutritious and safe food products (e.g., bread, yogurt, cheese)

References

Important sources for genetics and biotechnology include:
- Brooker, R.J. (2018). Genetics: Analysis and Principles (6th Edition)
- Reece, J.B., et al. (2010). Campbell Biology (10th Ed)
- Shiferaw Terefe, N. (2016). Food Fermentation
- Aslam, B., et al. (2017). Proteomics: Technologies and Their Applications

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Description

This unit covers the principles of genetic technology, including genetic manipulation, PCR cycles, gene cloning, and gene replacement and addition.