Commonly confused pairs
Cover the right-hand column and explain each pair out loud. These are where multiple-choice distractors come from.
| Pair | The difference in one line |
|---|---|
| Transgenic vs cisgenic | Where the gene came from: another species vs the same species or a crossable relative |
| RNAi vs CRISPR | RNAi destroys mRNA and leaves DNA intact; CRISPR cuts and edits the DNA itself |
| Recombinant DNA vs CRISPR | Recombinant DNA joins and adds sequences from different sources; CRISPR edits a targeted sequence in place |
| Genotype vs phenotype | The genetic makeup vs the observable trait that genes plus environment produce |
| Monogenic vs polygenic | One gene with a large effect, predictable; many genes with small effects, hard to predict |
| Differentiation vs reprogramming | Becoming more specialized (normal direction) vs being pushed back to a less specialized state |
| Totipotent vs pluripotent | Can make the embryo and placenta vs can make all body cell types but not an organism alone |
| Pluripotent vs multipotent | All body cell types vs several related types in one lineage |
| ESC vs iPSC | From an early embryo vs reprogrammed from an adult's own differentiated cells |
| Epigenetics vs mutation | Changes gene activity without changing DNA sequence vs changes the sequence itself |
| Transcription factor vs growth factor | Protein inside the cell that regulates gene expression vs signaling molecule outside that tells cells to survive, divide or specialize |
| Cultivated vs plant-based meat | Real animal cells grown in culture vs plant proteins formulated to resemble meat |
| Proliferation vs differentiation | Increasing cell number vs cells acquiring a specialized identity |
| Scaffold vs extracellular matrix | Engineered support material added in culture vs the natural material cells secrete around themselves |
| Organoid vs assembloid | One self-organized 3D tissue model vs two or more fused together to study what happens between them |
| 2D culture vs organoid | Flat layer on a surface vs cells organized through a volume |
| Organoid vs animal model | Human cells, no body vs whole organism, nonhuman |
| Neural progenitor vs neuron | Precursor that can still divide and generate neurons vs the specialized signaling cell |
| Axon vs synapse | The projection that carries the signal vs the junction where it passes to another cell |
| Motor cortex vs spinal cord | Where voluntary movement is planned and initiated vs the pathway that carries the command to the body |
| Noninvasive vs intracortical recording | Outside the skull, weak blurred signal vs inside the cortex, strong signal, surgical risk |
| Signal decoding vs calibration | Software estimating the intended action vs tuning that software with reference data |
| Device control vs restored function | Operating external hardware vs repairing the damaged biological pathway |
| Genetic engineering vs gain of function | A method a researcher uses vs a measured change in biological activity |
| Gain of function vs increased danger | Any acquired or enhanced activity vs specifically greater transmissibility or virulence in a pathogen |
| Transmissibility vs virulence | How easily it spreads vs how much harm it causes |
| Restriction enzyme vs DNA ligase | Cuts DNA at a specific sequence vs joins DNA fragments back together |
| Plasmid vs host cell | The DNA vehicle carrying the gene vs the cell that takes it up and expresses it |
| BSL-2 vs BSL-3 | Agents usually spread by contact or ingestion vs serious agents that can be inhaled, needing directional airflow and full containment |
Terminology flashcards
37 cards: every pair above, plus the recombinant DNA toolkit and the potency levels, with the course's own definitions. Tap the card to flip it. Cards you mark "Needs review" go into a pile you can drill on its own; the pile is saved on this device.
Tip: the ← and → arrow keys move between sections.