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A technique for determining genetic abnormalities in a fetus by the presence of certain chemicals or defective fetal cells in the amniotic fluid, obtained by aspiration from a needle inserted into the uterus
Amniocentesis
A discrete unit of hereditary information consisting of a specific nucleotide sequence of DNA
Gene
A display of the chromosome pairs of a cell arranged by size and shape
Karyotype
A short piece of DNA or RNA that is complementary to a section of template strand and acts as an attachment and starting point for the synthesis strand during DNA replication
Primer
An instrument that automatically cycles through different temperatures used to complete PCR reactions
Thermal Cycler
To be capable of combining with complementary nucleic acid by a process of heating and cooling
Anneal
A process of communication that deals with the occurrence or risk that a genetic disorder will occur in a family
Genetic Counseling
The analysis of a neonate's blood for metabolic or genetic disorders to prevent mental retardation, disability or death
Newborn Screening
A degradative enzyme that recognizes specific nucleotide sequences and cuts up DNA.
Restriction Enzyme
A noninvasive technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of bodily abnormalities
Ultrasonography
Indiscriminate examination of members of a population to detect heterozygotes for serious disorders
Carrier Screening
The use of methods to determine if someone has a genetic disorder, will develop one, or is a carrier
Genetic Testing
The physical and physiological traits of an organism
Phenotype
One base-pair variation in the genome sequence
Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP)
Using a somatic or body cell from a multicellular organism to make one or more genetically identical individuals
Cloning
A technique for diagnosing genetic and congenital defects in a fetus by removing and analyzing a sample of the fetal portion of the placenta
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
The complement of an organism's genes; an organisms genetic material
Genome
A technique that involves copying short pieces of DNA and then making millions of copies in a short period of time
Polymerase Chain Reaction
The (usually) clear liquid left behind after a precipitate has been spun down to the bottom of a vessel by centrifugation
Supernatant
The alteration of the genes of a person afflicted with a genetic disease (Hemophilia)
Gene Therapy
In DNA, the separation of the two strands of the double helix.
Denaturation
The genetic makeup of an organism
Genotype
In assisted reproductive technology, the determination of genetic abnormalities in the embryo before it is transferred to the uterus
Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis
A DNA synthesis enzyme that can withstand the high temperatures of PCR
Taq Polymerase
An agent (as a plasmid or virus) that contains or carries modified genetic material and can be used to introduce extra genes into the genome of an organism
Vector