Chapter 13 Vocabulary
1. biotechnology
2. recombinant DNA technology
3. plasmid
4. restriction enzyme
5. genomic library
6. nucleic acid probe
7. genetically modified organism (GMO)
8. transgenic
9. polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
10. gel electrophoresis
11. genetic marker
12. DNA fingerprint
13. operon
14. promoter
15. operator
16. repressor
17. transcription factor
18. gene expression
19. cellular differentiation
20. stem cell
21. homeotic gene
Name: ____________________________
Chapter 13 Vocabulary
Name: ____________________________
1. biotechnology : use of organisms to perform practical tasks (Concept 13.1)
2. recombinant DNA technology : technology that combines genes from different sources into a single DNA
molecule (Concept 13.1)
3. plasmid: small, circular DNA molecule found in bacteria that is separate from the bacterial chromosome
(Concept 13.2)
4. restriction enzyme: enzyme that cuts sugar-phosphate bonds in the DNA backbone at specific points within
particular nucleotide sequences in DNA (Concept 13.2)
5. genomic library: complete collection of cloned DNA fragments from an organism (Concept 13.2)
6. nucleic acid probe: radioactively labeled nucleic acid molecule used to tag a particular DNA sequence
(Concept 13.2)
7. genetically modified organism (GMO): organism that has acquired genetic material by artificial means
(Concept 13.3)
8. transgenic: genetically modified organism whose source of new genetic material is a different species
(Concept 13.3)
9. polymerase chain reaction (PCR): technique that makes many copies of a certain segment of DNA without
using living cells (Concept 13.4)
10. gel electrophoresis: technique for sorting molecules or fragments of molecules by length (Concept 13.4)
11. genetic marker: specific portion of DNA that varies among individuals (Concept 13.4)
12. DNA fingerprint: an individual's unique banding pattern on an electrophoresis gel, determined by restriction
fragments of the person's DNA (Concept 13.4)
13. operon: cluster of genes and their control sequences (Concept 13.5)
14. promoter: control sequence on an operon where RNA polymerase attaches to the DNA (Concept 13.5)
15. operator: control sequence on an operon that acts as a switch, determining whether or not RNA
polymerase can attach to the promoter (Concept 13.5)
16. repressor: protein that binds to the operator and blocks attachment of RNA polymerase to the promoter
(Concept 13.5)
17. transcription factor: protein that regulates transcription by binding to promoters or to RNA polymerases
(Concept 13.5)
18. gene expression: transcription and translation of genes into proteins (Concept 13.5)
19. cellular differentiation: increasing specialization in structure and function of cells during development of a
multicellular organism (Concept 13.5)
20. stem cell: cell with the potential to develop into one of several types of differentiated cells (Concept 13.5)
21. homeotic gene: master control gene in many organisms that directs development of body parts (Concept
13.5)
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Chapter 13: Concept Questions (Answers)
Name: _________________________
Concept Check 13.1
1. How has the bacterium E. coli played a role in the development of biotechnology?
It is a useful model for gene manipulation.
2. Describe one use of DNA technology.
Student answers will vary but may include comparing genomes or studying cellular development.
3. List three ways genetic recombination occurs in bacteria.
By joining together and passing genes, by picking up genes carried by viruses, and by taking up pieces
of DNA from the surrounding environment.
Concept Check 13.2
1. How can a biologist use plasmids to produce bacteria that carry a specific gene?
They can use plasmids to carry foreign DNA containing the desired gene into a bacterium, which can
reproduce, making many copies of the gene.
2. Explain how the "sticky ends" that result from the action of restriction enzymes can be useful.
Sticky ends from different sources can pair up, making recombinant DNA.
3. Explain how a nucleic acid probe enables researchers to identify a specific gene.
The probe is single–stranded, radioactive, and complementary to part of the desired gene. In basepairing with part of the desired gene, it radioactively tags it.
4. Give an example of a use of recombinant DNA technology in medicine.
Student answers may include making insulin or developing vaccines.
Concept Check 13.3
1. How is producing a GM plant different from producing a GM animal?
Producing a GM plant involves introducing a recombinant plasmid into a plant cell and letting that cell
grow into a plant. Producing a GM animal requires injecting a gene into a fertilized egg, then retuning
that egg to a uterus where it can develop.
2. Compare and contrast the techniques for producing a GM animal and a cloned animal.
To produce a GM animal, certain genes are injected into an egg. To produce a cloned animal, an
entire nucleus with a “foreign” genome is injected.
3. Give an example of one potential risk posed by GMOs.
Answers may include super-weeds or allergic reactions to therapeutic proteins or foods produced by
GOMs.
Concept Check 13.4
1. Name one application of the mass-production of DNA using PCR.
Answers may include cloning DNA from fossils or detecting cells infected with HIV.
2. Explain how gel electrophoresis compares DNA samples.
It compares by size the assortment of fragments from DNA samples treated by the same restriction
enzymes.
3. Why are genetic markers from noncoding regions useful in distinguishing DNA fingerprints?
Noncoding regions are especially variable among individuals.
Concept Check 13.5
1. Describe how the presence of lactose turns on the lac operon in bacteria.
Lactose binds to the repressor, inactivating it.
2. Give an example of a molecule in your body that can affect transcription factors.
Some hormones
3. Define cellular differentiation.
The increasing specialization in structure and function of cells as a multi-cellular organism develops.
4. Give examples of two types of cells that probably cannot be regenerated by stem cells in an adult human.
Nervous tissue and heart muscle
5. Give an example of a homeotic gene.
Gene that triggers development of eyes in Drosophilia
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Chapter 13: Concept Questions
Name: _________________________
Concept Check 13.1
1. How has the bacterium E. coli played a role in the development of biotechnology?
2. Describe one use of DNA technology.
3. List three ways genetic recombination occurs in bacteria.
Concept Check 13.2
1. How can a biologist use plasmids to produce bacteria that carry a specific gene?
2. Explain how the "sticky ends" that result from the action of restriction enzymes can be useful.
3. Explain how a nucleic acid probe enables researchers to identify a specific gene.
4. Give an example of a use of recombinant DNA technology in medicine.
Concept Check 13.3
1. How is producing a GM plant different from producing a GM animal?
2. Compare and contrast the techniques for producing a GM animal and a cloned animal.
3. Give an example of one potential risk posed by GMOs.
Concept Check 13.4
1. Name one application of the mass-production of DNA using PCR.
2. Explain how gel electrophoresis compares DNA samples.
3. Why are genetic markers from noncoding regions useful in distinguishing DNA fingerprints?
Concept Check 13.5
1. Describe how the presence of lactose turns on the lac operon in bacteria.
2. Give an example of a molecule in your body that can affect transcription factors.
3. Define cellular differentiation.
4. Give examples of two types of cells that probably cannot be regenerated by stem cells in an adult
human.
5. Give an example of a homeotic gene.
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