Biotechnology uses biological agents and processes to develop useful technologies. This lesson introduces its major applications and the DNA and RNA properties that make modern biotechnology possible.
Biotechnology is the use of biological agents for technological advancement. People used it long before they understood its scientific basis—for example, by breeding livestock and crops. After the structure of DNA was discovered in 1953, research and commercial biotechnology expanded rapidly.
All flashcards
What is biotechnology?
The use of biological agents or processes to advance technology, with applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
What is a genome?
The complete set of DNA molecules in an organism.
What is a nucleotide made of?
A sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base; nucleotides connect to form nucleic acids.
What are DNA denaturation and reannealing?
Denaturation separates DNA strands, often through heating. On cooling, complementary strands may pair again, a process called reannealing.
Why is RNA more challenging to preserve than DNA?
RNA is less stable and can be readily degraded by RNases, which are widespread and difficult to inactivate.
Quiz questions
During gel electrophoresis, how do smaller nucleic acid fragments generally move compared with larger fragments?Answer: They pass through gel pores more easily and travel farther.
In RT-PCR that begins with RNA, what does reverse transcriptase do before PCR amplification?Answer: It makes complementary DNA from an RNA template.
Which statement correctly distinguishes Southern blotting from Northern blotting?Answer: Southern blotting detects DNA, whereas Northern blotting detects RNA.
In plasmid-based molecular cloning, what does DNA ligase do?Answer: It joins DNA fragments by forming phosphodiester bonds.
How can gene targeting help researchers investigate a gene's function?Answer: They alter the gene and examine the resulting change.
Based on Biology 2e by Mary Ann Clark, Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.