14. biotechnology

Question 1

biotechnology

Answer 1

The application of science and engineering in
the direct or indirect use of living organisms,
or parts or products of living organisms, in their
natural or modified forms

Question 2

Recombinant DNA

Answer 2

The combination of DNA molecules from different biological sources into
a new DNA molecule

Question 3

What are the 2 essential components for recombinant technology?

Answer 3

(1) Restriction enzymes

(2) Plasmid DNA – extra-chromosomal (often circular) piece of self-replicating DNA

Question 4

restriction enzymes

Answer 4

DNA-cutting enzymes

Excise a piece of DNA from a chromosome using a restriction enzyme in order to transfer it.

only cut DNA at restriction sites

Question 5

What does restriction enzyme cutting produce?

Answer 5

• blunt ends or
• staggered ends
  able to recombine with any complementary DNA molecule.

Question 6

DNA ligase

Answer 6

Enzyme that forms covalent bonds between blunt or staggered free ends of DNA to create rDNA

Question 7

Cloning

Answer 7

Process of producing genetically identical copies of biological entities:

(1) DNA fragments (molecular cloning)
(2) Cells (cell cloning)
(3) Whole organisms

Question 8

4 steps of cloning a DNA fragment

Answer 8

1. Fragmentation
2. Ligation
3. Transformation
4. Screening

Question 9

Fragmentation

Answer 9

use the same restriction enzymes to cut and separate pieces of DNA from a sample and a plasmid

Question 10

Ligation

Answer 10

Attach the 2 fragments of DNA by base pairing, then use DNA ligase to form covalent bonds to create the recombinant plasmid.

Question 11

vector

Answer 11

DNA molecule that carries foreign DNA into a host
cell, replicates inside the
host cell, and produces many copies of itself.

ex. bacterial plasmids, bacteriophages

Question 12

selectable marker

Answer 12

gene that confers a trait suitable for artificial selection

Question 13

Transformation

Answer 13

Insert the newly formed rDNA into cells

• Involves increasing plasma membrane permeability using electric shocks or ion concentrations

Question 14

screening

Answer 14

select cells successfully transformed

with the recombinant DNA.

Question 15

PCR

Answer 15

Polymerase Chain Reaction

rapid and versatile method for amplifying target DNA sequences

Question 16

PCR: 3-Step Process

Answer 16

1. Denaturation – Heating to 94-96°C so DNA separates into 2 single-strands of DNA.
2. Annealing – Cooling to 50-70°C to allow primers (short nucleotide sequences) to bind (or anneal) to complementary bases at opposite ends of the target sequence.
3. Elongation – Heating to 70-75°C to allow Taq polymerase (an enzyme) to bind to the 3’ ends of each
   primer and add nucleotides to synthesize 2 new complementary strands of DNA (using the original strands as templates).

Question 17

Transgenic animals

Answer 17

Animal in which genetic engineering techniques have been used to introduce, remove, or modify specific parts of its genome.

Question 18

Whole Animal Cloning

Answer 18

One Method: Nuclear Transfer- Transplanting the nucleus from a somatic cell into an ovum
that has had its nucleus removed.

Question 19

Applications of Biotechnology

Answer 19

A. To enhance production or food quality traits –
Crops and Animals.
B. To improve Animal Health.
C. To enhance human-animal interactions.
D. To produce products for Human Health & Medicine

Question 20

Gene Pharming

Answer 20

transgenic livestock produce biologically active pharmaceuticals for human medicine

Question 21

GMO

Answer 21

genetically modified organisms

Any organism that has 1 or more gene(s) altered using rDNA technology.

Question 22

pro and cons of GMO

Answer 22

pro: GMOs provide a strategy
for increasing global food
production by:
- reducing crop losses,
- increasing crop yields, and
- maximizing land
conservation

cons: GMOs are pursued for
profit, they decrease
biological diversity, and
the release of transgenic
plants and organisms may
have a negative impact on
the environment

Question 23

Human-Animal Interactions

Answer 23

Use of biotechnology to enhance human-animal
interactions:
(1) Unique traits for pets
(2) Hypoallergenic pets

ex. glofish

Question 24

Xenotransplantation

Answer 24

development of transgenic animals that could donate organs to humans

• Pigs – likely the most suitable donor animal for humans
  (1) Similar organ sizes
  (2) Similar anatomy & physiology
  (3) Pigs have short reproductive cycles with large litters
  (4) Pigs grow rapidly

Question 25

Biomedical Applications

Answer 25

Animals Engineered to Serve as Models to Help Study and Potentially Treat Human Diseases

Animal Engineered as Sources of Transplant Cells, Tissues, and Organs

Question 26

Genetic Testing

Answer 26

Genetic tests involve direct examination of DNA molecules from blood or other tissue to diagnose a genetic disorder

Question 27

Gene Therapy

Answer 27

Technique for correcting defective genes responsible for disease by inserting, altering, or removing genes within an individual’s cells.

Question 28

Pharmacogenomics

Answer 28

The study of how an individual’s inherited variation in

different genes affects drug response.

Question 29

Drug and Vaccine Production

Answer 29

Biopharmaceuticals are produced using biotechnology; particularly rDNA in bacteria

Vaccines for animals have been approved and used,
including vaccines for: rabies, baby pig scours, foot rot, sheep measles, and
infectious bursal disease.

Question 30

Recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST)

Answer 30

synthetic bovine growth hormone produced by rDNA technology

Question 31

Biotechnology and Pest Management

Answer 31

Several bacteria have been genetically altered to improve their ability to kill or repel pests

Question 32

which government agencies regulate genetically engineered crop?

Answer 32

1. FDA- Food and Drug Administration
2. EPA- Environmental Protection Agency
3. APHIS- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Question 33

FDA’s 7-Step Review Process for

new animal drug approval

Answer 33

1) Product definition
2) Molecular characterization of the construct
3) Molecular characterization of the GE animal lineage
4) Phenotypic characterization of the GE
animal
5) Durability Plan
6) Environmental & food/feed safety
7) Claim validation