Biology

Plasmids

A plasmid is a small, circular, double-stranded DNA molecule that is distinct from a cell's chromosomal DNA. Plasmids naturally exist in bacterial cells, and they also occur in some eukaryotes. Often, the genes carried in plasmids provide bacteria with genetic advantages, such as antibiotic resistance.

Electrophoresis

An electric current is used to separate DNA fragments according to the size of the fragments in a process called gel electrophoresis

Selective breeding

Breeding 2 animals for desired traits

Inbreeding

Breeding of two closely related organisms in order to have a pure bread

Genomes

Contain millions of nucleotides

Restrictive enzymes

Contain powerful defenses against viruses

EcoRI

EcoRI specifically cuts DNA containing the sequence GAATTC. The ends of the DNA fragments created by EcoRI are called sticky ends because they contain single-stranded DNA that is complementary.

Gene therapy

Gene therapy is an experimental technique that uses genes to treat or prevent disease. In the future, this technique may allow doctors to treat a disorder by inserting a gene into a patient's cells instead of using drugs or surgery.

Cloning

In biology, cloning is the process of producing similar populations of genetically identical individuals that occurs in nature when organisms such as bacteria, insects or plants reproduce asexually.

Role of mutatuions in breeding

Mutations allow for differences

Transformation

Process by which one type of bacterium takes up the DNA from another source

Plasmids

Small circular double stranded DNA molecules that occur naturally in bacteria and yeast cells

Human genome project

The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the sequence of chemical base pairs which make up human DNA, and of identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and functional standpoint.

Transgenic organisms

This process is also known as "genetic engineering." Genes of one species can be modified, or genes can be transplanted from one species to another. Genetic engineering is made possible by recombinant DNA technology. Organisms that have altered genomes are known as transgenic.

Hybridization

crossing parent organisms with different forms of a trait to produce offspring with specific traits results in hybrids

Genetic engineering

technology that involves manipulating the DNA of one organism in order to insert exogenous DNA (the DNA of another organism).