Key Terms
Biotechnology
Using living systems to benefit humankind; includes traditional farming/breeding but modernly refers to direct genetic a
Genetic engineering
Direct alteration of an organism's genetics to achieve desirable traits using recombinant DNA technology.
Recombinant DNA technology
Manipulation of DNA sequences in vitro to create recombinant DNA molecules with new combinations of genetic material; in
Transgenic organism
A host organism that has received and incorporated DNA from a different species.
Recombinant DNA
DNA molecule containing genetic material from two or more sources.
Full name
Restriction endonucleases. Natural function: bacterial defense mechanism; cuts and destroys foreign DNA (most commonly f
Palindromic DNA
Sequence that reads the same 5' to 3' on both strands.
Example
GAATTC reads same direction on both complementary strands.
Hybridization
Joining of two complementary single strands of DNA (what happens at sticky ends during annealing).
Function
Joins DNA fragments by repairing the phosphodiester backbone through covalent bonding; makes a discontinuous double stra
Plasmid
Small, typically circular, double-stranded DNA; replicates independently of bacterial chromosome. Vector: DNA molecule t
Mechanism
Viral vector (e.g., adenovirus) carries functional gene into patient cells; part of viral genome removed and replaced wi
Blue colonies
LacZ intact; beta-galactosidase produced; degrades X-gal (colorless synthetic analog of lactose) to produce blue color.
White colonies
LacZ disrupted by foreign DNA insert; no beta- galactosidase; X-gal not degraded; no blue color. These cells contain rec
Transformation
Bacteria take up free DNA from surroundings.