AP Biology Chapter 20 Vocab

genomic library

A set of thousands of DNA segments from a genome, each carried by a plasmid, phage, or other cloning vector.

restriction site

A specific sequence on a DNA strand that is recognized as a "cut site" by a restriction enzyme.

southern blotting

A technique that enables specific nucleotide sequences to be detected in a sample of DNA. It involves gel electrophoresis of DNA molecules and their transfer to a membrane (blotting), followed by nucleic acid hybridization with a labeled probe.

in vitro mutagenesis

A technique to discover the function of a gene by introducing specific changes into the sequence of a cloned gene, reinserting the mutated gene into a cell, and studying the phenotype of the mutant. RNAi is more effective and faster.

electroporation

A technique to introduce recombinant DNA into cells by applying a brief electrical pulse to a solution containing the cells. The pulse creates temporary holes in the cells' plasma membranes, through which DNA can enter.

cloning vector

An agent used to transfer DNA in genetic engineering. A plasmid that moves recombinant DNA from a test tube back into a cell is an example of a cloning vector, as is a virus that transfers recombinant DNA by infection.

human genome project

An international collaborative effort to map and sequence the DNA of the entire human genome.

transgenic

An organism that contains a gene from a different organism

recombinant DNA

DNA produced by combining DNA from different sources

restriction fragment

DNA segment resulting from cutting of DNA by a restriction enzyme.

genetic engineering

The direct manipulation of genes for practical purposes.

gene therapy

The insertion of working copies of a gene into the cells of a person with a genetic disorder in an attempt to correct the disorder.

nucleic acid hybridization

The process of base pairing between a gene and a complementary sequence on another nucleic acid molecule.

restriction fragment length polymorphism

a technique used to compare DNA samples from different sources. refers to the differences in the size of DNA fragments produced by a particular restriction

sticky end

an end of DNA in which one strand of the double helix extends a few units beyond the other

DNA fingerprint

an individual's unique banding pattern on an electrophoresis gel, determined by restriction fragments of the person's DNA

restriction enzyme

any of the enzymes that cut nucleic acid at specific restriction sites and produce restriction fragments

gel electrophoresis

procedure used to separate and analyze DNA fragments by placing a mixture of DNA fragments at one end of a porous gel and applying an electrical voltage to the gel

complementary DNA

single-stranded DNA that is complementary to messenger RNA or DNA that has been synthesized from messenger RNA by reverse transcriptase

polymerase chain reaction

technique that allows molecular biologists to make many copies of a particular gene.

proteomics

the study of all of an organism's proteins, including its identity, structure, interaction, and abundance

single nucleotide polymorphism

variation in a DNA sequence occurring when a single nucleotide in a genome is altered