AP Biology Flashcards: Biotechnology

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Biotechnology, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: What is the purpose of a genetic screen?

Answer: To identify individuals with a specific genotype. Systematic analysis to find organisms carrying specific genetic variants.

Flashcard 2: Define the term 'knockout organism.'

Answer: An organism with a gene that has been inactivated. Created by deleting or disrupting specific genes to study function.

Flashcard 3: What is the role of Taq polymerase in PCR?

Answer: Synthesizes new DNA strands. Remains active at high temperatures required for PCR denaturation.

Flashcard 4: Define the term 'expression vector.'

Answer: A vector used to express a gene in host cells. Contains regulatory sequences that control gene transcription in hosts.

Flashcard 5: Identify the purpose of Southern blotting.

Answer: To detect specific DNA sequences. DNA is transferred to membrane and probed with labeled sequences.

Flashcard 6: Identify the purpose of Western blotting.

Answer: To detect specific proteins. Proteins are transferred to membrane and detected with specific antibodies.

Flashcard 7: Which component is necessary for PCR?

Answer: DNA polymerase. Heat-stable enzyme that synthesizes DNA during thermal cycling.

Flashcard 8: Which component is necessary for PCR?

Answer: DNA polymerase. Heat-stable enzyme that synthesizes DNA during thermal cycling.

Flashcard 9: Which process creates DNA fingerprints?

Answer: Gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments. Produces unique banding patterns based on individual genetic variation.

Flashcard 10: What is the use of a knockout mouse in research?

Answer: To study gene function by gene inactivation. Gene disruption reveals protein functions through observable phenotypes.

Flashcard 11: Define bioinformatics.

Answer: The application of computing to biological data. Combines computer science with molecular biology for data analysis.

Flashcard 12: What is the role of bioreactors in biotechnology?

Answer: To cultivate organisms for product synthesis. Controlled vessels that optimize conditions for cell growth and production.

Flashcard 13: What is a cDNA library?

Answer: A collection of cloned cDNA sequences. Contains expressed genes without introns for protein production studies.

Flashcard 14: Identify the purpose of Western blotting.

Answer: To detect specific proteins. Proteins are transferred to membrane and detected with specific antibodies.

Flashcard 15: What is a palindromic sequence in DNA?

Answer: A sequence that reads the same forward and backward. Recognition sites for restriction enzymes that cut DNA symmetrically.

Flashcard 16: What is the function of a reporter gene?

Answer: To indicate the presence of a gene of interest. Produces detectable signals when the target gene is successfully expressed.

Flashcard 17: Which organism is often used in recombinant DNA technology?

Answer: Escherichia coli. Fast-growing bacterium with well-characterized genetics and transformation methods.

Flashcard 18: Identify the purpose of a DNA microarray.

Answer: To measure gene expression levels. Contains thousands of gene probes to analyze expression patterns simultaneously.

Flashcard 19: What does ELISA stand for?

Answer: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Uses antibody-antigen interactions to detect and quantify proteins.

Flashcard 20: What is the purpose of a genomic library?

Answer: To store DNA fragments that represent an organism's genome. Contains random DNA fragments representing the complete genetic material.

Flashcard 21: Define bioinformatics.

Answer: The application of computing to biological data. Combines computer science with molecular biology for data analysis.

Flashcard 22: Which technique amplifies DNA segments?

Answer: Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Uses thermal cycling to exponentially copy specific DNA regions.

Flashcard 23: Identify the purpose of a DNA microarray.

Answer: To measure gene expression levels. Contains thousands of gene probes to analyze expression patterns simultaneously.

Flashcard 24: Define the term 'metabolomics.'

Answer: The study of chemical processes involving metabolites. Analyzes small molecules produced by cellular metabolic pathways.

Flashcard 25: What is gene cloning?

Answer: The process of making identical copies of a gene. Inserts genes into vectors for replication in host organisms.

Flashcard 26: Define the term 'knockout organism.'

Answer: An organism with a gene that has been inactivated. Created by deleting or disrupting specific genes to study function.

Flashcard 27: What is a DNA ladder used for in gel electrophoresis?

Answer: To estimate the size of DNA fragments. Known molecular weight standards for comparing unknown fragment sizes.

Flashcard 28: Identify the purpose of Northern blotting.

Answer: To study RNA sequences. RNA is transferred to membrane and hybridized with specific probes.

Flashcard 29: Define CRISPR-Cas9.

Answer: A genome editing tool. Uses guide RNA and Cas9 nuclease for precise DNA modifications.

Flashcard 30: What is a DNA ladder used for in gel electrophoresis?

Answer: To estimate the size of DNA fragments. Known molecular weight standards for comparing unknown fragment sizes.

Flashcard 31: What is proteomics?

Answer: The study of the entire set of proteins. Analyzes protein structure, function, and expression patterns.

Flashcard 32: Which process creates DNA fingerprints?

Answer: Gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments. Produces unique banding patterns based on individual genetic variation.

Flashcard 33: What is a DNA probe used for?

Answer: To detect specific DNA sequences. Labeled single-stranded DNA that hybridizes to complementary sequences.

Flashcard 34: Identify the main function of a vector in cloning.

Answer: To carry foreign DNA into a host cell. Self-replicating DNA molecule that transports genes between organisms.

Flashcard 35: Define CRISPR-Cas9.

Answer: A genome editing tool. Uses guide RNA and Cas9 nuclease for precise DNA modifications.

Flashcard 36: What is a transgenic organism?

Answer: An organism with DNA from another species. Contains foreign genes that can be expressed in the host organism.

Flashcard 37: What is recombinant DNA?

Answer: DNA formed by combining DNA from different organisms. Created by splicing DNA segments from multiple species using molecular tools.

Flashcard 38: What is gene therapy?

Answer: The treatment of disease by modifying genes. Introduces functional genes to correct genetic disorders.

Flashcard 39: Define the term 'expression vector.'

Answer: A vector used to express a gene in host cells. Contains regulatory sequences that control gene transcription in hosts.

Flashcard 40: What is a genetic marker?

Answer: A gene or DNA sequence with a known location. Used to track inheritance patterns and identify genetic variations.

Flashcard 41: What enzyme is used to cut DNA at specific sequences?

Answer: Restriction enzyme. Recognizes palindromic sequences and cleaves double-stranded DNA.

Flashcard 42: What does ELISA stand for?

Answer: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Uses antibody-antigen interactions to detect and quantify proteins.

Flashcard 43: What is the role of a plasmid in genetic engineering?

Answer: Acts as a vector to transfer genetic material. Self-replicating circular DNA that can carry foreign genes into cells.

Flashcard 44: State the function of DNA ligase in biotechnology.

Answer: Joins DNA fragments together. Forms phosphodiester bonds between compatible DNA ends.

Flashcard 45: Define genomics.

Answer: The study of whole genomes. Examines complete DNA sequences and genetic organization.

Flashcard 46: What is the purpose of a DNA sequencer?

Answer: To determine the order of nucleotides. Reads DNA bases sequentially to determine genetic sequence information.

Flashcard 47: What is the function of a selectable marker?

Answer: Identifies cells with the desired DNA. Confers resistance to antibiotics, allowing selection of transformed cells.

Flashcard 48: Identify the purpose of Southern blotting.

Answer: To detect specific DNA sequences. DNA is transferred to membrane and probed with labeled sequences.

Flashcard 49: What is the function of a reporter gene?

Answer: To indicate the presence of a gene of interest. Produces detectable signals when the target gene is successfully expressed.

Flashcard 50: What is the role of bioreactors in biotechnology?

Answer: To cultivate organisms for product synthesis. Controlled vessels that optimize conditions for cell growth and production.

Flashcard 51: Define genomics.

Answer: The study of whole genomes. Examines complete DNA sequences and genetic organization.

Flashcard 52: What is the purpose of a DNA sequencer?

Answer: To determine the order of nucleotides. Reads DNA bases sequentially to determine genetic sequence information.

Flashcard 53: What is the function of a selectable marker?

Answer: Identifies cells with the desired DNA. Confers resistance to antibiotics, allowing selection of transformed cells.

Flashcard 54: Which organism is often used in recombinant DNA technology?

Answer: Escherichia coli. Fast-growing bacterium with well-characterized genetics and transformation methods.

Flashcard 55: What is the purpose of a genetic screen?

Answer: To identify individuals with a specific genotype. Systematic analysis to find organisms carrying specific genetic variants.

Flashcard 56: What is the function of reverse transcriptase?

Answer: Converts RNA into DNA. Essential for creating cDNA libraries from mRNA templates.

Flashcard 57: Define the term 'metabolomics.'

Answer: The study of chemical processes involving metabolites. Analyzes small molecules produced by cellular metabolic pathways.

Flashcard 58: What is a palindromic sequence in DNA?

Answer: A sequence that reads the same forward and backward. Recognition sites for restriction enzymes that cut DNA symmetrically.

Flashcard 59: Identify the use of RNA interference (RNAi).

Answer: To silence gene expression. Small RNAs bind to mRNA and prevent translation or cause degradation.

Flashcard 60: Which technique separates proteins by size and charge?

Answer: SDS-PAGE. Uses polyacrylamide gel and denaturing agents for protein separation.

Flashcard 61: What is the role of a plasmid in genetic engineering?

Answer: Acts as a vector to transfer genetic material. Self-replicating circular DNA that can carry foreign genes into cells.

Flashcard 62: What is the use of a knockout mouse in research?

Answer: To study gene function by gene inactivation. Gene disruption reveals protein functions through observable phenotypes.

Flashcard 63: What is gene therapy?

Answer: The treatment of disease by modifying genes. Introduces functional genes to correct genetic disorders.