Biotechnology Unit Vocabulary
Biotechnology - is a broad term generally used to describe using and adapting
biological processes to meet human needs.
Cloning - Technology that uses DNA from the body cell of one organism and
places that DNA into the empty egg of another organism. The fertilized egg is
shocked and placed into the uterus of a third organism.
Differentiation – The process of stem cells turning on certain genes and forming
the different body cells of an organism during embryonic development. When
a cell gets its specific job.
Gamete Cell – A sex cell, egg or sperm.
Genetic Engineering – (Gene Splicing) - Technology that uses enzymes to cut a
human gene from DNA. Then cut out a section of a bacterial plasmid and
combine the two together using enzymes. The end result is recombinant DNA.
Plasmid – circular piece of DNA from a bacteria cell used during genetic
engineering.
Recombinant DNA – The end result of genetic engineering when a human gene
has been inserted into a bacterial cell.
Restriction Enzyme – Enzyme used to cut DNA in a specific location.
Restriction Site – The exact spot in which a restriction enzyme cuts a piece of
DNA.
Selective Breeding - (Artificial Selection) - Humans select plants and animals with
desired traits to breed and produce organisms with desired characteristics. They
continue to mate offspring until those traits are expressed.
Somatic Cell – A body cell, any cell other than an egg or sperm.
Stem Cell – The undifferentiated cells that have the ability to turn into any cell of
the body. Stem cells most abundant in an embryo but are also found in the
umbilical cord and adults.
Surrogate Mother – Animal that carries and delivers a cloned offspring. The
surrogate mother is of no relation to the clone.
Vector – the bacterial plasmid used to transport human DNA into the bacteria
cell.