5 Genetic modification Flashcards
What are transgenic organisms?
organisms which have received genes / genetic material from another species
What can be used to carry the DNA of one organism into another?
Vectors
How can scientists genetically engineer bacteria to produce insulin?
Human gene located on chromosome
Gene cut from rest of chromosome using DNA restriction enzyme
A plasmid removed from bacterium (E.coli) and cut open with same DNA restriction enzyme
Human insulin gene and plasmid join together due to complementary base pairing at sticky ends
DNA ligase enzyme forms bonds between nucleotides to make single piece of DNA
Place new plasmid (recombinant DNA) into the bacteria (transgenic organism)
Bacteria divide making clones, therefore all bacteria contain insulin gene
How do each DNA restriction enzyme make bases stick together?
cuts a a specific sequence of bases, producing short single stranded sections called sticky ends
What is the plasmid called after having gene joined to it?
recombinant DNA - it is a combination of two different sources
What is the plasmid carrying the human DNA called?
a vector
What is recombinant DNA?
the DNA that has been changed to induce another organisms DNA
How can you manufacture GM products from bacteria?
transgenic bacteria placed into fermenter to increase number
If bacteria have enough nutrients and kept at optimum conditions, begin to mass produce human insulin
How does a fermenter help with mass production of insulin?
provides oxygen via air line
Stirring the mixture to prevent clumping and a shortage of nutrients
Monitoring temperature and cooling fermenter if needed
Adding more nutrient medium
How is insulin collected from fermenter?
secreted by bacteria, then collected from fermenter, purified and distributed
What are the two main stages of GM crops?
introducing new gene or genes into plant cells
Producing whole plants from just a few cells (tissue culture)
What are the stages to make GM Crops?
remove plasmid from Agrobacterium
put useful gene into plasmids e.g. coding for insecticides
place plasmid back into Agrobacterium
bacteria inserts plasmids containing the useful gene (insecticides) into plant cells
plant makes insecticides
kills pests (insects)
What traits can be added to plants?
higher yield
produce extra nutrients e.g. golden rice produces more vitamin A
resistance to extremes in weather e.g. drought tolerance
resistance to pests
resistance to disease/pathogens
What are the advantages of GM Crops?
more precise method than selective breeding
higher crop yield/ better food quality
less pesticide/herbicide used so less pollution
disease resistant / pest resistant / herbicide resistant
