the molecular toolkit
These are used by scientists as "molecular scissors" to make accurate cuts in DNA.
Restriction Enzymes
This is the primary purpose of gene cloning.
To make many copies of a gene to study or manipulate it
An organism that contains functional recombinant DNA from another species is called this.
Transgenic Organism
Transgenic bacteria are used to produce this hormone to treat Type 1 Diabetes.
Insulin
These plants were engineered with firefly genes to show they were expressing the new DNA.
Tobacco Plants
This enzyme is known as "molecular glue" because it joins sections of DNA together.
DNA Ligase
These small, circular pieces of DNA found in bacteria are commonly used as vectors
Plasmids
This is the term for foreign genes obtained from one species and placed into another.
Transgenes
Transgenic bacteria were used to help clean up these environmental disasters in the Gulf of Mexico.
Oil Spills
Scientists modified bacteria on these fruit plants to prevent frost damage.
Strawberry Plants
This enzyme creates long strands of new DNA by adding nucleotides during replication.
DNA Polymerase
Besides plasmids, this is the other main type of vector used in genetic engineering.
Viruses
Transgenesis is possible across different species because this "language" of life is universal.
The Genetic Code
This amino acid, used in NutraSweet, is produced by transgenic bacteria.
Phenylalanine
This is the primary reason transgenesis in animals has not progressed as quickly as in plants or bacteria.
Ethics/Animal Welfare concerns
Restriction enzymes are naturally found in these two types of microorganisms as a defense system.
Bacteria and Yeasts
When DNA is cut straight across, it results in this type of end
Blunt End
In animals, the transgene must be added to this specific cell for the adult to contain the gene in every cell.
The Egg Cell
Transgenic goats produce this human protein in their milk to help dissolve blood clots
Antithrombin
Transgenic plants can be engineered to produce these, which helps them fight off pests.
Pesticides
The natural function of this enzyme in a micro-organism is to join Okazaki fragments together.
Ligase
This is the specific term for an organism that carries a pathogen but is not usually affected by it, used to transfer DNA
Vector
This term describes plant cells, meaning any living plant cell can develop into a fully grown adult plant.
Totipotent
This medical treatment for cancer can be produced by engineered bacteria.
Interferon
In the future, transgenic plants might be engineered to produce fruit with this specific trait to reduce waste.
Delayed Ripening