FREE BACE Genetics Flashcards
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Read the first 6 FREE BACE Genetics flashcards as text
What is CRISPR-Cas9 and how does it function as a genome editing tool?
Answer: CRISPR-Cas9 is a bacterial immune system repurposed for genome editing — a guide RNA directs Cas9 nuclease to a specific DNA sequence where it makes a double-strand break
CRISPR-Cas9 uses a guide RNA (gRNA) complementary to the target DNA sequence to direct the Cas9 endonuclease to make a precise double-strand break, enabling gene knockout, correction, or insertion.
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?
Answer: Genotype is the genetic makeup (alleles) of an organism; phenotype is the observable physical or biochemical characteristics resulting from genotype and environment
Genotype is the specific alleles an organism carries; phenotype is the observable result of those alleles expressed in a particular environment.
What is RNA interference (RNAi) and how is it used in biotechnology research?
Answer: RNAi is a natural gene silencing mechanism using small interfering RNA (siRNA) or microRNA to degrade or inhibit translation of specific mRNA sequences
RNAi is a natural mechanism (used in research) where double-stranded RNA is processed into siRNA that guides the RISC complex to degrade or silence specific mRNA, reducing protein expression.
What is the significance of codon optimization in recombinant protein expression?
Answer: Codon optimization changes the DNA sequence encoding a protein to use codons preferred by the host organism improving translation efficiency and protein yield
Codon optimization replaces rare codons in the original gene with synonymous codons that are more frequently used by the expression host (e.g., E. coli, CHO), improving ribosome speed and protein production yield.
What is horizontal gene transfer (HGT) and why is it important in biotechnology and microbiology?
Answer: HGT is the transfer of genetic material between organisms other than parent-to-offspring occurring between bacteria via conjugation, transformation, or transduction
Horizontal gene transfer allows bacteria to acquire new genes (including antibiotic resistance) from other organisms, bypassing vertical inheritance.
What is polyploidy and how does it affect genetic analysis in biotechnology?
Answer: Polyploidy is the condition of having more than two complete sets of chromosomes common in plants and some animals affecting the complexity of genetic analysis
Polyploidy (triploid, tetraploid, hexaploid, etc.) means an organism has multiple complete chromosome sets; it is common in crop plants and affects genetic analysis because multiple gene copies complicate genotype-to-phenotype relationships.