Using reverse transcriptase to identify and isolate a gene.

?
  • Created by: Molly
  • Created on: 27-04-14 15:13
What is a retrovirus and why is it useful?
A retrovirus is a type of virus with the most famous one being HIV. The genetic information of retroviruses is in the form of RNA. They are able to synthesise DNA from their RNA using reverse transcriptase.
1 of 5
What is reverse transcriptase?
It is an enzyme.
2 of 5
What does reverse transciptase do?
It catalyses the formation of DNA from RNA, which is the reverse of transcription.
3 of 5
Explain how reverse transcriptase works in isolating genes?
A cell that readily produces a required protein is selected. It will therefore contain a large amount of mRNA. RT works on this mRNA and creates a complimentary DNA strand. However, the required gene is in the other complimentary bases.
4 of 5
Why is DNA polymerase added to the DNA following the use of reverse transcriptase?
Because the DNA is only the complimentary strand, and so the actual gene sequence needs to be built up by DNA Polymerase.
5 of 5

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is reverse transcriptase?

Back

It is an enzyme.

Card 3

Front

What does reverse transciptase do?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Explain how reverse transcriptase works in isolating genes?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Why is DNA polymerase added to the DNA following the use of reverse transcriptase?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar Biology resources:

See all Biology resources »See all Human, animal and plant physiology resources »