The Process of Genetic Engineering Flashcards
All 5 cards in this deck
What are the main stages of genetic engineering?
e.g. putting the human insulin gene into bacteria- Cut the gene from the genome and cut open the plasmid with the same restriction enzyme: complementary sticky ends on insulin gene and plasmid.
- Join the gene into the plasmid using ligase: recombinant plasmid.
- Put the plasmid (vector) back into the bacterium, which multiplies: bacteria that make human insulin.
What does a restriction enzyme do in genetic engineering?
Cuts DNA at a specific sequence, leaving sticky ends (unpaired bases).
Why are the gene and the plasmid cut with the same restriction enzyme?
So they are left with complementary (matching) sticky ends, which allows the gene to join to the plasmid.
Which enzyme joins the gene into the plasmid in genetic engineering?
Ligase.
What is recombinant DNA?
DNA formed by joining together two pieces of DNA from different sources, e.g. a plasmid with an inserted human gene.