18.4 Genetics and Society

Question 1

What is Biotechnology?

Answer 1

The use of natural biological systems to create new technologies and products

Question 2

What is a DNA microarray?

Answer 2

A microscope slide that contains a grid of thousands of microscopic cells

Question 3

What steps occur in a typical microarray experiment?

Answer 3

1. mRNA is extracted from each cell
2. The mRNA is used to synthesize an artificial form of DNA called copy DNA (cDNA)
3. The labelled cDNA samples are incubated with the microarray and the cDNA binds with the microarray at locations that correspond to the individual’s genes in the cell genome
4. The microarray is scanned and analyzed to compare the patterns of gene expression in each cell sample

Question 4

What is the purpose of a Microarray experiment?

Answer 4

They allow scientists to pinpoint which genes are expressed by each cell

Question 5

What is a Transgenic Organism?

Answer 5

An organism whose genetic material includes DNA from different species

Question 6

What is Bioremediation?

Answer 6

The use of living cells for environmental remediation

Question 7

What is a type of medicine from Transgenic bacteria?

Answer 7

Human insulin can be produced by transgenic bacteria

Question 8

What are Transgenic plants?

Answer 8

Plants that have DNA of different organisms within them

Question 9

What are clones?

Answer 9

Organisms that are genetically identical to one another

Question 10

What do cloned animals often suffer from?

Answer 10

Higher mortality rates, premature aging and metabolic disorders

Question 11

How did cloning work in dolly the sheep?

Answer 11

Udder cells were implanted into an empty egg cell. It was the treated with electricity and cells divided into an embryo which was then implanted into the mother

Question 12

What is the criteria for transgenic products in Canada?

Answer 12

• Cost
• Process by which it is made
• Biological characteristics
• Potential health effects

Question 13

What are the risks many find with Transgenic Organisms?

Answer 13

Environmental effects such as a build of herbicide and superweeds
Not enough knowledge on long-term effects

Question 14

What is an Ultrasound?

Answer 14

When soundwaves that are beyond human hearing bounce off the fetus and reveal a cross-sectional image

Question 15

What may an Ultrasound reveal?

Answer 15

Physical abnormalities such as missing limbs, malformed heart, or cleft palate

Question 16

What is an Amniocentesis?

Answer 16

A needle used to withdraw a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus. The cells are left to grow then scientists are able to

Question 17

What is Chorionic Villi Sampling?

Answer 17

When cells are removed from the chorion so a karyotype can be performed

Question 18

What is a Genetic Marker?

Answer 18

A characteristic that provided information about the genotype of an individual

Question 19

How can genetic markers be found?

Answer 19

Using a DNA probe

Question 20

What is a DNA Probe?

Answer 20

A molecule of DNA with a nucleic acid sequence that is complementary to the marker sequence and marked with a fluorescent chemical tag

Question 21

How does a DNA probe work?

Answer 21

DNA from a tissue sample is place with the DNA probe. If the DNA sample contains a gene of interest the probe will bind to the Gene

Question 22

What is Gene Therapy?

Answer 22

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

Question 23

How does gene therapy work?

Answer 23

A molecule called DNA vector carries foreign DNA into target cells in the patient

Question 24

What is usually the DNA vector?

Answer 24

A modified virus

Question 25

What are the risks of Gene therapy?`

Answer 25

Even though the disease causing part is spliced out, the remaining protein coat may cause an immune response

Question 26

What is Somatic Gene Therapy?

Answer 26

Therapy aimed at correcting genetic disorders in somatic cells

Question 27

What is Germ Line therapy?

Answer 27

Gene therapy used to modify the genetic information carried in egg and sperm cells