Biology Tools - 1045 Words

Biotechnology tools and Techniques 1) Restriction enzymes Restriction enzymes are DNA-cutting enzymes found in bacteria (and harvested from them for use). Because they cut within the molecule, they are often called restriction endonucleases. In bacteria the restriction enzymes naturally provide immunity to the bacteria against bacteriphage by cutting viral DNA is that introduced into the cell (Fig. 2 Page 280). After being cut, the viral DNA becomes inactive and thus the phage cannot attack the bacterial cell. A restriction enzyme recognizes and cuts DNA only at a particular sequence of nucleotides known as recognition sites. Most recognition sites are 4 to 8 base pairs long resulting in relatively low frequency of cuts compared to†¦show more content†¦The ability to produce recombinant DNA molecules has not only revolutionized the study of genetics, but has laid the foundation for much of the biotechnology industry. The availability of human insulin (for diabetics), human factor VIII (for males with hemophilia A), and other proteins used in human therapy all were made possible by recombinant DNA. To be useful, the recombinant molecule must be replicated many times to provide material for analysis, sequencing, etc. Producing many identical copies of the same recombinant molecule is called cloning. Cloning can be done in vitro, by a process called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) OR in vivo. Cloning in vivo can be done in †¢ unicellular microbes like E. coli †¢ unicellular eukaryotes like yeast and †¢ in mammalian cells grown in tissue culture. In every case, the recombinant DNA must be taken up by the cell in a form in which it can be replicated and expressed. This is achieved by incorporating the DNA in a vector. A number of viruses (both bacterial and of mammalian cells) can serve as vectors. Example of cloning using E. coli as the host and a plasmid as the vector. 5) Plasmids Plasmids are molecules of DNA that are found in bacteria separate from the bacterial chromosome. They: †¢ are small (a few thousand base pairs) †¢ usually carry only one or a few genes †¢ are circular †¢ have a single origin of replication Plasmids areShow MoreRelatedReverse Transcriptase Polmerase Chain, Reaction is an Essential Tool in Molecular Biology1553 Words   |  6 Pagestranscriptase polymerase chain reaction, also known as RT-PCR, has been recognized as a reliable, accurate, and sensitive method for quantifying gene transcription. Polymerase chain reaction, also known as PCR, is considered an essential tool in molecular biology that allows for the amplification of nucleic acid sequences. Specifically, the three main consecutively repeating steps in PCR are denaturation, annealing, and elongation. If the reaction runs with 100% efficiency, there will be a two-foldRead MoreTools of Evolutionary Biology Summary687 Words   |  3 PagesTOOLS OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY SUMMARY Research Paper Citation : JOHNSON, J. C., MILES, L. S., TRUBL, P. J. HAGENMAIER, A. 2014. Maternal effects on egg investment and offspring performance in black widow spiders. Animal Behaviour, 91, 67-73. Q.1 The study addressed questions like what effects maternal foraging success would have on maternal body condition, fecundity, egg investment and whether an abundance in prey for the mother would have positive effects on offspring traits like shapesRead MoreThe Learning Outcome Checklist992 Words   |  4 Pagesrequired critical thinking skills, reflections and analyses, and the use of different tools. Each assignment required a tremendous amount of time and dedication in order to develop a successful final product. 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