Genetic Engineers Mini-Dictionary

Genetic Engineers Mini-dictionary

Anneal Joining of complementary nucleotide sequences by controlled lowering of temperature Bacteriophage Virus that attacks bacteria, used as a vehicle fro replicating DNA inside bacteria Biotechnology Manipulation of living organisms or their components to perform practical tasks cDNA DNA produced by copying RNA

Clone A large number of genetically identical offspring produced by the copying of an original type DNA ligase Enzyme that joins DNA fragments together, catalyses the formation of Phosphodiester bonds Explant A small part removed from a plant and grown in tissue culture to produce a plant genetically identical to the donor plant Gene cloning Process by which multiple copies of a gene are produced in a bacterium or bacteriophage Gene Library The entire genome of an organism, distributed as DNA fragments in a large number of bacteriophages or bacteria Gene Probe A segment of single-stranded nucleic acid, used to find a complementary piece of DNA Genetic Manipulation of genetic material for a purpose Engineering Genetic Technique by which fragments of as DNA in individuals are Profiling compared to establish relationships between them Genome Name for all the genes of an organism

GMO Genetically Modified Organism

In vitro Inside test tubes, cells etc extracted and grown outside body

In vivo Inside a living body eg humans, mice

Ligation Joining DNA fragments by formation of phosphodiester bonds (between sugars and phosphates in backbone) Oligonucleotide A chain of up to about 20 nucleotides

Plaque A small area in a dense population of bacteria resulting from lysis of bacteria after infection with a bacteriophage Plasmid A small circular, independently replicating piece of bacterial chromosome. Contains genes for resistance to antibiotics and is us as a carrier for replicating DNA Polymerase PCR is a techniques used in which a small piece of DNA Chain Reaction can be replicated many times (PCR) Primer Oligonucleotide needed to start DNA synthesis

Promoter Binding site recognised by RNA polymerase, controls expression of gene Recombinant Artificially combining genes from different organisms DNA Recombinant Produced in vitro splicing DNA from two different sources DNA Restriction Enzyme that cuts DNA at specific sites Enzymes Reverse Enzyme used to make DNA from RNA template Transcriptase Southern Technique used for transferring DNA fragments from a gel to Blotting a membrane by capillary action prior to use for gene probing Totipotent Having the ability to produce all cell types of the organism

Transformation Process by which bacteria can take up ‘foreign’ DNA, promoted by addition of Ca2+ ions Transgenic Transplanted from other species

Vector A virus or bacterium into which DNA is inserted for replication VNTR Variable Used in DNA profiling Number Terminal Repeats