a form of applied genetics in which scientists directly manipulate genes

Genetic engineering

technology involved in genetic engineering

DNA technology

a protein that recognizes specific sequences in a DNA molecule and cuts it into pieces

restriction enzyme

the single-stranded end of a double-ended DNA fragment that can form base pairs with another sticky end of a DNA fragment cut by the same enzyme

sticky end

a carrier used to clone a gene and transfer it from one organism to another

cloning vector

a single ring of extrachromosomal DNA in a bacteria

plasmid

a protein hormone that lowers the blood glucose level that can be made by transgenic bacteria

insulin

a DNA segment that has been manipulated (inserted, deleted, or replaced a gene)

Recombinant DNA (rDNA)

a host organism that has received recombinant DNA

transgenic organism

a pattern of bands made up of specific fragments from an individual's DNA

DNA fingerprint

restriction fragment length polymorphism; the method for preparing a DNA fingerprint

RFLP analysis

technique used to separate nucleic acids or proteins by size and charge

gel electrophoresis

technique used to quickly make many copies of selected segments of DNA

polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

temporary sequence of RNA required for the initiation of DNA synthesis

primer

An international collaborative effort to map and sequence the DNA of the entire human genome.

Human Genome Project

treatment of a genetic disorder by introducing a healthy gene into a cell

gene therapy

use of computer databases to organize and analyze biological data

bioinformatics

the study of environmental influences on gene expression that occur without a DNA change (like manipulating histone proteins or RNA instead)

Epigenetics

Body cells that have been genetically altered such that they become pluripotent (reverted back into stem cells)

iPSCs (induced pluripotent stem cells)

a gene-editing technique from a bacterial system that can be used either to produce a mutation in a specific gene or to correct a mutation (it cuts a target gene and replaces it with a "good" gene)

CRISPR/Cas9

process of wrapping DNA around stirring rod to further analyze it after extraction

spooling

process of taking DNA out of cells

DNA extraction

the process of determining the precise order of nucleotides within a DNA molecule

DNA sequencing

the study of morality with issues related to DNA technology

Bioethics

An organism that is genetically identical to the organism from which it was produced

clone

number of base pairs in the human genome

3 billion

number of genes in the human genome

25,000

number of chromosomes in a human body cell

46

the process of cutting DNA (removing introns and reconnecting exons in a pre-mRNA)

Splicing

An example of a restriction enzyme that cuts DNA or RNA

nuclease

crops that carry new traits that have been inserted through advanced genetic engineering methods

GMOs

a form of artificial production in which the branch of one plant is inserted into the stem of another plant (not GM)

grafting

Breeding organisms with specific traits in order to produce offspring with identical traits (not GM)

artificial selection

the turning on and off of genes

gene regulation (expression)

a group of genes that operate together for gene regulation; ex. the lac _________

operon

short DNA region, next to the promoter of a prokaryotic operon, that either binds to a repressor or allows transcription to happen

operator

binds to an operator and physically blocks RNA polymerase from binding to a promoter site and doing transcription

repressor

the genetic system that controls the metabolism of lactose in bacteria

lac operon

region of DNA that indicates to RNA polymerase where to start transcribing a protein

promoter

protein balls which DNA is tightly coiled around in chromatin

histones

all of an organism's genetic material

genome