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Systems Physiology
Exam 1 - DNA Technology
27
Biology
Undergraduate 3
02/15/2006

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Term
What is so useful about restriction enzymes?
Definition
A given enzyme will always cut a given DNA molecule at the same sites
Term
When enzymes cut at a longer sequence of nucleotides, they cut (more/less) frequently
Definition
Less frequently because that long sequence is less likely to happen
Term
Why are they called "restriction" enzymes?
Definition
Because they restrict transformation in bacteria. Restriction means methylation
Term
What are the two basic types of restriction enzymes?
Definition
One cuts blunt edges, the other cuts overlapping edges
Term
Which are more valuable, blunt edges or overlapping ones? Why?
Definition
Overlapping edges can easily be inserted with a new nucleotide chain
Term
What are two ways to analyze the cut up pieces of DNA?
Definition
Agarose gel was invented, can tag the DNA with radioisotopes and move the gel to photopaper, OR stain with ethidium bromide which does not bind
Term
Define hybridization
Definition
Making a small segment of complementary DNA and tagging it to identify the DNA you are looking for
Term
What does hybridization depend on?
Definition
The fact the complementary DNA sequences can be denatured (by heat) and upon cooling they return to the original form
Term
What is Southern Blotting?
Definition
Take a run of DNA on a gel, put it onto a wet sponge, add nitrocellulose and paper towels which pull the gel. Adding a DNA probe with the blot inside a plastic baggy allows the probe to bind to the target DNA
Term
How does methylation of DNA affect restriction enzymes?
Definition
Methyl groups on methylated DNA stop restriction enzymes and keep DNA intact. Unmethylated DNA can be cut easier
Term
What first compared the DNA of chimpanzees and humans?
Definition
The restriction patterns
Term
Describe the enzymatic method of DNA sequencing
Definition
Take double stranded DNA, add a labeled primer (single-stranded), add dideoxyribonucleotides (ddNTPs), add DNA polymerase. cuts are made at each ddNTP, and you run the fragments on a gel to determine the sequence
Term
What is the shotgun strategy? When does it work?
Definition
Assembling a genome after random reads from enzymatic sequencing. Because of so much excess genetic material, shotgun method is limited to simple organisms lacking lots of introns
Term
How did restriction and other enzymes make cloning possible?
Definition
DNA Polymerase III -> DNA elongation
Ligase sealed gaps (joined 2 together)
Term
What is Berg's A/T Tailing?
Definition
A plasmid containing an A/T section receives a piece of viral DNA
Term
How did the Boyer-Cohen Experiment verify cloning?
Definition
They joined a blunt end with a staggered end; tried to add a tetracycline resistant gene. The experiment added a different enzyme, which was reproduced. Insertion was accomplished with DNA ligase. They actually patented the process
Term
What is the action of DNA ligase?
Definition
It provides the energy to secure the circle of a plasmid
Term
How may a plasmid be inserted into bacteria?
Definition
Using Ca++ or electric shock
Term
What are the 3 required components for a vector?
Definition
origin, region of genetic interest (like tet resistance) and a cutting spot
Term
Cloning something into a plasmid which covers the area of tetracycline resistance does what?
Definition
removes the resistance to tetracycline
Term
How is the lac-Z plasmid used?
Definition
use the lac gene to change a molecule that gives a color. the check cloning at that gene, they use a color reaction.
Term
What is the isolation of Poly(A) RNA?
Definition
a solution of cellulose with oligothymidines attached, run RNA thru that, and the Poly-A tails of mRNA bind and stick in the cellulose. Can remove pure mRNA this way.
Term
What is a second use of Poly-A RNA besides isolating mRNA?
Definition
The mRNA can be used with a TTTT primer and reverse transcriptase to synthesize cDNA (copy DNA). Then wash off RNA and synthesize the other DNA strand. This DNA has NO INTRONS b/c it has only CODING DATA and is thus different from genes
Term
How does hybridization test for sickle-cell?
Definition
a plasmid and mRNA binds, and can locate specific DNA. Sickle cell has a Val instead of a Gly. Probe for both normal genes and sickle cell probes.
Term
What's up with PCR?
Definition
Amplifies DNA. DNA+heat+hybridization of oligonucleotide primers-> ddNTPs, polymerase, and then DNA synthesis. There's a cooling and the primers anneal. A heat cycle is required, and new polymerase is required for each cycle
Term
What are DNA micro arrays?
Definition
glass microscope slides studded with a large number of DNA fragments, each containing a probe for a specific gene. This monitors the expression of thousands of genes at once
Term
What does the term "transformation" mean to a a bacterial cell?
Definition
The cell uptakes DNA from its surroundings and incorporates it into the genome by recombination. This transforms the bacterial strain into another
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