Biotechnology

SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was developed by biochemist Ulrich K. Laemmli in 1970. It is a widely used technique for separating proteins based on their molecular weight.

Adaptive radiations often occur after mass extinctions because the clearing of ecological niches due to the extinction of dominant species opens up opportunities for other species to diversify and occupy new habitats. This reduced competition allows for rapid evolution and the colonization of new adaptive zones, leading to a burst of speciation and diversification known as an adaptive radiation.

The discovery of the structure of DNA by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953 is considered a milestone that ushered in the biotech society. This discovery laid the foundation for the development of biotechnology, enabling advancements in genetic engineering, gene therapy, and other biotech applications.

Eukaryotic genes have regions called "introns" and "exons". Exons code for polypeptides (often specific domains or motifs), while introns don't code for anything (that we know of) and are removed.

mRNA splicing is the process where an mRNA molecule is cut up (usually by the "spliceosome") to remove the introns from an mRNA message. This is advantageous for us eukaryotes because we can recombine exons in different orders, and even combine exons from different genes to generate many proteins from a smaller number of genes.

most restriction enzymes require magnesium ions for their activation, local restriction enzyme activity can be controlled by the local concentration of magnesium ions. Applying a direct current (dc) voltage to a needle electrode of metallic magnesium made it possible to control the local magnesium ion concentration at the tip of the needle. The restriction enzyme was activated only when magnesium ions were electrochemically supplied.

To create a Punnett square for the combination of RrYY and RrYY, first list all possible gametes for each parent (RrYY and RrYY). Then, fill in the square by combining the gametes from each parent to show the potential genotypes of their offspring. This would result in a 4x4 Punnett square with different genotype combinations.

The two main types of lactic acid are L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. They are optical isomers, meaning they have the same chemical formula but differ in the arrangement of atoms. L-lactic acid is the form produced in the human body during strenuous exercise, while D-lactic acid is produced by certain bacteria.

Society must implement robust regulations and oversight to ensure ethical use of biotechnology. It's essential to engage in public dialogue and education to increase awareness and understanding. Additionally, fostering collaboration between stakeholders, including scientists, policymakers, and ethicists, can help navigate the complex ethical and social implications of biotechnological advancements.

A colorimeter is used to measure the absorbance of specific wavelengths of light by a particular solution. This is used to determine the concentration of a known solute in a solution using Beer's law. This law states that the concentration of a solute is proportional to the absorbance.

Yes, a plasmid can be used as a cloning vector. Plasmids are small, circular DNA molecules that can replicate independently in a host cell. They can carry foreign DNA fragments and be used to introduce these fragments into host cells for gene cloning and expression.

No. Human growth hormone or HGH comes from the human body, specifically from the pituitary gland, not from deer antler velvet. However, it has been reported from scientific journal articles about IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) being a factor in the growth of deer antlers, and consequently may play a role in stimulating Human Growth Hormone enabling people taking deer antler velvet supplements to have more growth over those who do not. Note the keyword: stimulating, not made from nor produced or any other synonym you can think of relating to "made from."

The buffer in PCR helps to maintain the optimal pH for enzymatic activity, stabilize the DNA template, and provide the necessary salt concentration for the reaction to occur efficiently. It also helps to prevent the degradation of the DNA template during the high-temperature cycling of PCR.

Bromides are toxic because they can accumulate in the body, leading to bromism. Symptoms of bromism include neurological effects such as confusion, memory impairment, and seizures. In high doses, bromides can also cause respiratory failure and death.

DNA bands are usually visualized using techniques such as agarose gel electrophoresis or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After electrophoresis, DNA bands can be viewed under UV light by staining the gel with a fluorescent dye, such as ethidium bromide. The DNA bands will appear as distinct bands of varying sizes depending on the migration pattern of the DNA fragments.

Example of a transgenic tobacco plant is the insect resistant variety. A gene from Bacillus thuringiensis which is lethal to many pests is introduced into the plant genome to impart resistance to many insect pests.

A catalytic biosensor is an analytical device that uses biological molecules (such as enzymes or antibodies) to detect and measure specific substances in a sample. These biological molecules act as catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions that produce a measurable signal indicating the presence and concentration of the target substance. Catalytic biosensors are commonly used in various fields, including environmental monitoring, healthcare, and food safety.

Restriction enzymes in bacteria protect the cell by cutting foreign DNA at specific recognition sites, preventing invasion by bacteriophages or plasmids. This process is part of the bacterial immune system to defend against foreign genetic material.

Enzymes and substrates are molecules and look like any other molecules. In case of enzymes specifically, they are proteins and so have long chains of amino acids folded into different structures and shapes.

Enzymes are proteins and as such, they undergo complex folding of the amino acid chain. They form globules, helices and sheets, among other structures. The pockets formed by such structures containing a functional group responsible for the reaction forms an active site.

During the experiments for genetically engineered plasmids, a large number of cells are used because the frequency of insertion and recombination of the target gene is very low. This also generates a large number of cells in which the plasmid may not be taken up at all. In order to differentiate genetically engineered cells from normal ones, genetic markers are used which quite frequently are related to some physiological effect.

Biotechnology helps by using biological systems and organisms to create products, improve processes, and find solutions to various challenges in fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental conservation. It enables the development of new medicines, genetically modified crops for higher yields, and cleaner industrial processes.

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, a method used to amplify and copy small segments of DNA.

One way biotechnology has not helped society is the potential for misuse or unintended consequences, such as the development of genetically modified organisms that could harm the environment or human health if not properly regulated and monitored. Additionally, concerns about the ethical implications of certain biotechnologies, such as human genetic engineering, raise valid questions about social impact and equity.

Gene is primarily afraid of losing control of his emotions and impulses, especially when it comes to his friendship with Finny. He also fears the possibility of war and the impact it could have on himself and his friends. Additionally, Gene is afraid of the consequences of his actions and the guilt that comes with causing harm to others.