MI 4.1.2 Background Information pre-lab

Front

What is a constitutive promoter?

Back

A constitutive promoter is a type of promoter that is continuously transcribed and translated regardless of most cellular conditions.

Front

What are plasmids?

Back

Plasmids are small circular pieces of non-chromosomal DNA found in bacteria that can replicate independently of chromosomal DNA.

Front

What is conjugation in bacteria?

Back

Conjugation is the transfer of DNA between bacteria via direct contact, often involving a pilus.

Front

What is the role of B-lactamase?

Back

B-lactamase is an enzyme that provides bacterial resistance to antibiotics like ampicillin by degrading their molecules before they can disrupt the bacterial cell wall.

Front

What is the unit of measure for protein mass?

Back

The unit of measure typically used to indicate the mass of a protein is kilodaltons.

Front

Define the term 'antibiotic resistance'.

Back

Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to survive and grow in the presence of antibiotics that would normally kill them or inhibit their growth.

Front

What is the function of a pilus in bacteria?

Back

A pilus is a hair-like structure on the surface of bacteria that facilitates attachment to surfaces and plays a key role in the process of conjugation.

Front

Explain the significance of plasmids in genetic engineering.

Back

Plasmids are significant in genetic engineering as they can be used as vectors to introduce foreign DNA into host cells.

Front

What is horizontal gene transfer?

Back

Horizontal gene transfer is the movement of genetic material between organisms other than through vertical transmission (from parent to offspring), including processes like transformation, transduction, and conjugation.

Front

What is the difference between transformation and transduction?

Back

Transformation is the uptake of free DNA from the environment by a bacterium, while transduction is the transfer of DNA from one bacterium to another via a bacteriophage.