Download File - NCEA Level 3 Biology

Timaru Girls’ High School
Level 3 Biology
Demonstrate understanding of human
manipulations of genetic transfer and its biological
implications
Internal AS 91607 (3.7)
3 Credits
Keywords
Bacteriophage virus
A virus whose host is a bacterium
cDNA
Copy or complementary DNA. DNA without introns (only exons). It is
produced using reverse transcriptase
Clone
A genetically identical copy of an organism. This includes cuttings,
tubers, grafting, tissue culture but not seed formation
Dideoxynucleotide
Modified bases which when added to a reaction mixture cause chain
termination. Used in gene sequencing
DNA chip or microarray
Glass or silicon plate studded with DNA fragments
DNA fingerprinting
(profiling)
The process of analysing the DNA of an individual's body tissue or
fluids for the purpose of identification. It often includes the process of
Southern blotting
DNA polymerase
An enzyme that joins (polymerises) DNA
Gene gun
A technique used to ‘fire’ ‘bullets’ of tungsten or gold coated with a
gene into cells
Gene therapy
The transfer of genetic material from one person to another for their
medical benefit. The same techniques are used as in any genetic
modification
Genetic engineering
The same as genetic modification, but used by speakers and writers
who are opposed to the techniques
Genetic modification
Transfer of genetic material from one individual to another. The
recipient may or may not be of the same species
Ligase
A enzyme used to join sections of DNA together
Liposome
Spherical membrane similar in structure to cell membranes. Liposomes
are used to introduce genetic material into cells
Microsatellites
STR — short tandem repeats. Short sequences (2–8 base pairs) able
to repeat up to 100 times. Humans have many microsatellites and the
number of repeats varies between people. This is used to gene profile
people using PCR
Minisatellites
VNTR — variable number tandem repeats. Repeating sequences of a
few tens of bases. The significance of minisatellites is that the patterns
in different people or other organisms vary considerably. These can be
electrophoresed to identify or fingerprint individuals
Node
The part of the plant stem where stalks, branches, buds and flowers
originate
PCR
Polymerase Chain Reaction (gene amplification). A technique for
multiplication of DNA
Plasmid
A small circular section of DNA in a bacterium. It contains several
thousand bases compared to the millions in bacterial chromosomes
Primer
A short section of RNA used as a starting sequence for PCR or gene
sequencing
Recombinant DNA
DNA into which a foreign gene has been inserted
Restriction enzyme
An enzyme that cuts DNA at particular recognition sites of from 4 to 8
bases
Retrovirus
A virus that has RNA and not DNA as its genetic material. To replicate
in a cell it must use the enzyme reverse transcriptase
Reverse transcriptase
An enzyme that makes DNA from RNA
Sequencing
The process by which scientists work out the base sequence of genes.
This uses dideoxynucleotides and may be done manually or
automatically
Southern blotting
A process during genetic profiling whereby a nitrocellulose sheet is
placed on top of an electrophoresis gel, and the DNA ia partially
transferred to the more stable sheet by placing blotting paper on top of
the sheet and drawing the liquid up from the gel
Stem cell
Unspecialised cell that renews itself by dividing. Can develop into
specialised tissue. Stem cells are embryonic (derived from embryos)
or adult (found in adult tissue)
Tissue culture
Cloning of plants by taking sections of stem, root, leaf or callus and
growing them under sterile conditions with the help of hormones and
growth factors
Transformation
The transfer of plasmids between bacteria. This can happen with
mammal cells if they are chemically treated
Transgenesis
The transfer of genetic material from one species to another
Variable DNA
DNA unique to each person. It is variable DNA that is used in DNA
fingerprinting