18.4

Question 1

What do genetic researchers use to organize and store genetic information?

Answer 1

Gene banks and DNA libraries

Question 1

What is the use of natural biological systems to create new technologies and products?

Answer 1

Biotechnology

Question 2

What is a DNA micoarray?

Answer 2

A chip that contains a grid of microscopic cells
* Each cells contains a nucleic sequence - bind with on of the MRNA molecules transcribed during gene expression

Question 3

How does the DNA microarray work?

Answer 3

1. mRNA is retracted from the cell to be studied
2. mRNA sample from each cell is used as a template to synthesize an artificial DNA - cDNA
   - marked with a fluorescent tag later for identification
3. Microarray is scanned and analyzed to compare the patterns of gene expression

Question 4

What does the DNA microarray allow for scientists?

Answer 4

It allows them to analyze the activity of thousands of genes at once

Question 5

What is a benefit of studying the human genome?

Answer 5

Potential drugs can be developed that are unique to the genome of the patient

Question 6

What was the genographic project?

Answer 6

A five year venture to use DNA samples provided by volunteers around the world as a tool to learn more about the migrations of ancient peoples

Question 7

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 7

An organism whose genetic material includes DNA from a different species

Question 8

What is the benefit of human insulin?

Answer 8

It is a transgenic bacteria - bacteria is cultured in large quantities - they will have lower costs

Question 9

What is an additional benefit of transgenic bacteria?

Answer 9

• it can be used to naturally degrade toxic substances such as PCBS
• Can clean oil spills
• Filter air from factory smokestacks

Question 10

What is bioremediation?

Answer 10

The use of living cells for environmental remediation

Question 11

What is golden rice?

Answer 11

Rice that has been genetically modified to increase its iron and Vitamin A content

Question 12

What are organisms that are genetically identical?

Answer 12

Clones

Question 13

How was Dolly the sheep created?

Answer 13

1. Unfertilized egg from donor and Udder cell from donor (cultured so medium stops division)
2. Udder cell is transported in egg cell
3. Electric current is started to restart the cell cycle
4. Cells are cultured - some begin to divide to produce early embryos
5. Embryos are implanted in the uterus of the surrogate mother - embryo that survives and it genetically identical to udder cell donor

Question 14

What are environmental affects of transgenics?

Answer 14

Farmers will use higher levels of herbicides - can build up in water ways
* Can create super organisms

Question 15

What are health affects of transgenics?

Answer 15

We are not aware of any long term affects

Question 16

What are social and economical risks of transgenics?

Answer 16

Are we spending to much money on it

Question 17

What is ultrasound?

Answer 17

It gives images of the developing fetus
* Waves beyond the limit of human hearing are sent through the amniotic fluid
- sound waves bounce off of the fetus and are used to create a cross sectional of the fetus ( can reveal abnormalities)

Question 18

What is amniocentesis?

Answer 18

A needle is used to withdraw a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus
* The extracted fluid is placed in a special nutrient rich medium and the cells are allowed to multiply
- When cell sample is large enough - researches can prepare a karyotype of another genetic analysis

Question 19

Can amniocentesis be done before the fourteenth week of pregnancy?

Answer 19

NO

Question 20

What is chorionic villi sampling?

Answer 20

• Done at the ninth week of pregnancy - cells can be removed from the chorion (tissue that surrounds amniotic sac)
• fetal cells carry the same genetic information as the developing fetus
• chorionic cells are then used to prepare a karyotype

Question 21

What are genetic markers?

Answer 21

Characteristics that provides information about the genotype of an individual.

Question 22

What can be used as a genetic marker?

Answer 22

A nucleotide sequence - that is associated with part of the gene of interest

Question 23

How can gene of interest be found?

Answer 23

• DNA probe that consists of a molecule DNA with a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the marker sequence - DNA from tissue sample is placed in suspension with DNA probe
• If DNA contains gene of interest the probe will bind to marker sequence

Question 24

What is gene therapy?

Answer 24

The process of changing the function of a gene in order to prevent genetic disorder

Question 25

What disorders are combatted by targeting their genetic causes?

Answer 25

Parkinson’s disease and diabetes

Question 26

What do DNA vectors do?

Answer 26

They carry foreign bacteria into the target cells in patients
* Vector is a modified for of a virus
* Virus’ are more suitable because they have the ability to target certain types of living cells and to insert their DNA into the genome of these cells

Question 27

How are restriction endonucleases useful in gene therapy?

Answer 27

Virus’ can be genetically altered so that they carry a desired genome

Question 28

What is somatic gene therapy?

Answer 28

Gene therapy that is aimed at correcting genetic disorders in somatic cells

Question 29

What is germ line therapy?

Answer 29

Modifying the genetic information carried in egg and sperm cells