Biotechnology and its Applications Test - 3

OCT, XYL and CAM are plasmids seen in Pseudomonas putida as anti-pollutants.
The plasmids are grouped into four categories:
(1) OCT plasmid, which degrades octane, hexane and decane
(2) XYL plasmid, which degrades xylene and toluenes
(3) CAM plasmid, which decompose camphor
(4) NAH plasmid, which degrades naphthalene

In a test cross, the dominant-expressing organism is crossed with an organism that is homozygous recessive for the same characteristic. If the dominant-expressing organism is a homozygote, then all F1 offspring will be heterozygotes, expressing the dominant trait. Alternatively, if the dominant expressing organism is a heterozygote, the F1 offspring will exhibit a 1 : 1 ratio of heterozygotes and recessive homozygotes. The test cross further validates Mendel's postulate that pairs of unit factors segregate equally. Doing a test cross in humans is unethical and impractical. Instead, geneticists use pedigree analysis to study the inheritance pattern of human genetic diseases.

Determination of HLA haplotype is based on association of particular haplotype with risk of disease, particularly an auto-immune disease.

Karyotyping is the process of pairing and ordering all the chromosomes of an organism. Cells in blood, hair, fingernails and any other tissue in our body can be cultured to create a karyotype of the chromosomes.

It is possible to correspond enzyme activity with a specific chromosome in a somatic cell hybrid.

Southern blot is a procedure used for identifying a specific gene. The first step in a southern blot is to prepare the DNA mixture by breaking it into small fragments using a protein called a restriction enzyme. The mixture of DNA fragments is then separated according to size by way of a technique called gel electrophoresis.

The term 'biopiracy' was coined by Pat Mooney. Biopiracy is defined as the illegal removal of biological material of a country by organisations or multinational companies without proper authorisation from the concerned countries. Biopiracy is generally practised for profit making.

A heterologous protein for its expression in the milk of transgenic animals should be under the control of the promoter of the gene coding for beta-lactoglobulin.

Functional genomics is the study of role of genes in regulating metabolic pathways. It attempts to make use of the vast wealth of data given by genomic and transcriptomic projects (such as genome sequencing projects and RNA sequencing) to describe gene (and protein) functions and interactions.

Biotechnology has applications in areas of pollution control, pharmacology, production of transgenic animals and public health.