Genetic Engineering (Notes)

Genetic Engineering

In this process, the genes of organisms are manipulated by geneticists. 

This manipulation may require any one, or all, of the following actions:
1.    Restriction Enzymes ( a.k.a. restriction endonucleases, or biological scissors)
       These are enzymes that find specific nucleotide sequences on the DNA, and cut the DNA into smaller         segments wherever/whenever that sequence is found.

2.    Recombinant DNA
       This is the result of splicing (joining) together the DNA from 2 or more organisms.

3.    DNA Amplification

       This is the process of taking a particular segment of DNA and generating multiple copies of it  so  that        there is sufficient amounts for the various procedures that need to be done.

      This may be done by:
     (a) cloning vectors
     (b) PCR - Polymerase Chain Reaction

4.    Gel Electrophoresis  (See diagram p. 617)

       In this process, a DNA sample which has been cut in segments by restriction enzymes are allowed     
      to pass through a gel medium using an electrical current. Using this method, DNA segments of
      different  sizes will separate out  according to size, with the smallest  sections moving furthest, the next   
      smallest sections move slightly less, and so on, with the largest sections moving the least within the gel.

5.  DNA Sequencing

    This refers to a process used to determine the exact sequence of  nucleotides that make up the DNA of a     particular gene or chromosome, or even a whole organism.  This was the goal of the HUMAN GENOME     PROJECT.