20: Biotechnology and genetic engineering

Question 1

What is bacteria useful in?

Answer 1

Biotechnology and genetic engineering due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make complex molecules

Question 2

Why are bacteria useful in biotechnology and genetic engineering?

Answer 2

• lack of ethical concerns over their manipulation & growth
• genetic code shared with all other organisms
• presence of plasmids

Question 3

Describe the role of anaerobic respiration in yeast during production of ethanol for biofuels

Question 4

Describe the role of anaerobic respiration in yeast during bread-making

Question 5

Explain how fermenters are used in the production of penicillin

Question 6

Define genetic engineering

Answer 6

Changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing. or inserting individual genes

Question 7

Give examples of genetic engineering

Answer 7

• insertion of human genes into bacteria to produce human insulin
• insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to herbicides
• insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to insect plants
• insertion of genes into crop plants to provide additional vitamins

Question 8

Outline genetic engineering using bacterial production of a human protein

Answer 8

1. isolation of the DNA making up a human gene using restriction enzymes, forming sticky ends
2. cutting of bacterial plasmid DNA with the same restriction enzymes, forming complementary sticky ends
3. insertion of human DNA into bacterial plasmid DNA using DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid
4. insertion of plasmid into bacteria
5. replication of bacteria containing recombinant plasmids which make human protein as they express the gene