CH 20 STUDY GUIDE: DNA TECHNOLOGY
KEY TERMS
recombinant DNA technology
gene library
biotechnology
copy DNA(=cDNA)
restriction enzymes
genetic probe
"sticky" ends
DNA sequencing
DNA ligase
DNA hybridization
gel electrophoresis
PCR
transformation
RLFPs
artificial transformation
DNA fingerprinting
gene cloning
WORD ROOTS
Liga - = bound, tied (DNA ligase: a linking enzyme essential for DNA replication)
Electro - = electricity (electroporation: a technique to introduce recombinant DNA into cells by
applying a breif electrical pulse to a solution containing cells)
Poly - = many; morph - = form (Single nucleotide polymorphisms: one-base-pair variations in the
genome sequence)
QUESTIONS
1. Describe the process involved in inserting the genes from one kind of
organism into cells of another kind of organism.
2. Describe how a gene from humans can be inserted into a bacteria.
3. Which electrode do DNA fragments migrate toward (anode(-) or
cathode(+))? Why?
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4. How do restriction enzymes recognize a restriction site?
5. What is a palindrome? Why is this term used in relation to restriction
enzymes?
6. Why is copied DNA missing the introns?
7. What do the letters PCR stand for? Why is PCR often used prior to cloning
a gene in cells?
8. What are the steps in using PCR to make copies of a gene?
9. Why even bother cloning genes in cells, since PCR produces so many
copies so fast?
10. What kind of DNA polymerases are used in PCR?
11. Describe how RLFPs and gel electrophoresis can be used to develop a
"DNA fingerprint".
12. Summarize the ethical and other objections that have been raised against
recombinant DNA studies, and give practical and research applications of
recombinant DNA.
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