Biotech Quiz Study Sheet

By: Charlotte Dingwall

Gene-Genome-Chromosome
- Genome: all of the DNA that makes up an organism; found in all cells
except sex cells
- Chromosome: a combination of histone protein and DNA, the way DNA is
packaged in a cell
- Gene: a segment of a chromosome that codes for a protein

Restriction Enzymes:
- Proteins produced by bacteria to prevent or restrict invasion by foreign
DNA
- Act as DNA scissors, cutting the foreign DNA into pieces so it cannot
function
- Blunt ends: DNA that is cut in the same place on both sides
- Sticky ends: DNA that is cut in different places on both ends (are not cut in
a straight line)

Pipetting:
- Used to measure and transfer microliters of fluid
- Maximum volume=1mL (1000 uL)
- DO: use the right pipette tips, make sure there are no bubbles when
collecting a sample
- DONT: hold pipette horizontally, draw liquid quickly from stock
- Remember to: make sure tip is firmly on the pipette, keep specimen at eye
level, hold pipette vertically

Gel Electrophoresis:
- takes advantage of the chemistry of DNA in order to separate fragments
- a way to isolate DNA
- DNA is negatively charged, and the Gel Electrophoresis box is positively
charged, so the DNA is attracted to the positive end, and becomes visible
- Gel is placed in a salt water solution called a buffer
- Larger DNA cells cannot move as far as smaller ones, so the shorter
distance the DNA travels, the larger it is

Personal Medicine:
- Someone can send their genome to be read by a doctor, who will be able to
tell them which diseases they may be more at risk to get (i.e. cancer)

GM foods:
- Scientists are blending the DNA of two or more plants together, in order to
make the plants gain specific properties (resistance to herbicides and
pesticides)
- i.e. soy, canola, corn


DNA Malaise Trap:
- Canadian schools set up insect traps, and leave them alone for two weeks
- The bugs are sent to a biotech lab, where their DNA is coded and analyzed
- A way to keep a log of which species are where in Canada, and a way of
finding any new species

Things that arent on here:
- DNA fingerprinting
- Insulin producing bacteria
- Practice restriction enzyme questions