The Process of Genetic Engineering Flashcards
All 6 cards in this deck
What are the main stages of genetic engineering?
e.g. putting the human insulin gene into a bacterium
- Cut out the gene and cut open the vector with the same restriction enzyme — both have complementary sticky ends
- Join the gene into the plasmid using ligase — a recombinant plasmid
- Insert the vector into the host cell — the bacterium takes up the plasmid and makes insulin
What does a restriction enzyme do in genetic engineering?
Cuts DNA at a specific sequence, leaving sticky ends.
What are sticky ends?
Short sections of unpaired bases left at the cut ends of DNA by a restriction enzyme.
What does ligase do in genetic engineering?
Joins the gene into the cut vector by sealing the DNA together.
What is a vector in genetic engineering?
Something used to carry a gene into a host cell, e.g. a bacterial plasmid or a virus.
True or false? The gene and the plasmid must be cut with the same restriction enzyme.
True. This gives them complementary sticky ends so the bases pair up and they can be joined.