Biotechnology Notes

​Biotechnology

By Amber Yancey

3 fields of biotechnology

• Transgenic organisms (gene from one organism transferred to another), GMOs, Pesticide/Herbicide resistance

Agriculture

Medicine

Forensics

• Cloning

  • Reproductive (baby clone)

  • Therapeutic​ (STEM cells)

  Stem Cell Therapy​

  • ​undifferentiated cells become specialized

• Gene Therapy​

• Antibiotic resistance​

• Using DNA fingerprinting to analyze genomes (DNA)

  • ​at crime scenes

  • paternity testing

• PCR - amplify

• ​ Gel Electrophoresis

  • ​creates DNA fingerprint

Multiple Choice

What is a genome?

• Home for genes

• An organism's DNA

• A transgenic organism

• An organism's bone structure

​Do not draw, just observe!

​Do not copy, just observe!

Multiple Choice

Which best describes nondisjunction?

• Cells do not divide properly during meiosis or mitosis.

• Chromosomes do not separate properly meiosis or mitosis.

Key Vocabulary

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Pedigree

A genetic family tree that illustrates how a specific trait is inherited through multiple generations.

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Carrier

An individual who is heterozygous for a specific trait but does not display the trait themselves.

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Autosomal Trait

A trait determined by genes located on any of the non-sex chromosomes, also known as autosomes.

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Sex-Linked Trait

A trait that is genetically determined by an allele located on a sex chromosome (X or Y).

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Genotype

The specific genetic makeup of an organism, often represented by letters for different alleles.

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What is a Pedigree Chart?

• A pedigree is a genetic family tree showing a trait across generations.

• It traces phenotypes and genotypes to see if people carry certain traits.

• It shows how a hereditary condition is transmitted through a family line.

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Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a pedigree chart?

• To show the number of children in a family.

• To list all the genetic mutations an individual has.

• To trace the transmission of a hereditary condition through generations.

• To display the physical addresses of family members.

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Elements and Symbols in Pedigrees

• Circles represent females, while squares are used to represent males.

• ​Shaded shapes are affected, unshaded are unaffected, and half-shaded are carriers.

• A horizontal line connects a mating couple and vertical lines show offspring.

• Generations are labeled with Roman numerals and individuals are numbered from left.

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How to Determine Inheritance Patterns

Autosomal vs. Sex-Linked

• Observe the ratio of affected individuals to see if a trait is autosomal or sex-linked.

• If most affected individuals are males, the disorder is likely X-linked.

• If the ratio of affected males to females is close to 50/50, the disorder is likely autosomal.

Dominant vs. Recessive

• To determine if a trait is dominant or recessive, check if it skips any generations.

• For a dominant disorder, one of the parents must have it and it does not skip generations.

• A recessive disorder can skip a generation, meaning parents can be unaffected heterozygous carriers.

Gel Electrophoresis

• The process used to create a DNA Fingerprint/DNA Profile

• DNA is cut into fragments by restriction enzymes

• Electricity pushes the DNA through the gel

• DNA fragments are separated by size

• Smaller fragments go to the bottom, larger fragments stay at the top

1. Look at the migration distance of the mother's reference bands

2. Then look at the migration distance of the child's bands.

3. Since half of the DNA comes from the mother, the child's second band is related to the mother.

4. The correct father will have 50% of the DNA in common with the child as well​

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Answer who is the father on the next slide​

Interpreting Gel Electrophoresis​

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Multiple Choice

Who is the father of the child?

• alleged father #1

• Alleged father #2

• Alleged father #3