5.3.2 Genetic Engineering: Insulin

Question 1

The gene for human insulin can be inserted into bacteria which then produces, what?

Answer 1

human insulin which can be collected and purified for medical use to treat people with diabetes

Question 2

The gene that is to be inserted is located, where?

Answer 2

is located in the original organism – the gene for insulin production is located within a human chromosome

Question 3

What are Restriction enzymes used for?

Answer 3

to isolate or ‘cut out’ the human insulin gene, leaving it with ‘sticky ends’ (a short section of unpaired bases)

Question 4

A bacterial plasmid is cut by the same restriction enzyme leaving it with, what?

Answer 4

corresponding sticky ends (plasmids are circles of DNA found inside bacterial cells)

Question 5

The plasmid and the isolated human insulin gene, do what together?

Answer 5

are joined together by DNA ligase enzyme

Question 6

If two pieces of DNA have matching sticky ends, what happens?

Answer 6

DNA ligase will link them to form a single, unbroken molecule of DNA

Question 7

Where is the genetically engineered plasmid inserted?

Answer 7

into a bacterial cell

Question 8

When the bacteria reproduce the plasmids are copied as well and so, what happens?

Answer 8

a recombinant plasmid can quickly be spread as the bacteria multiply and they will then all express the human insulin gene and make the human insulin protein

Question 9

The genetically engineered bacteria can be placed in a fermenter to reproduce quickly in controlled conditions and make, what?

Answer 9

large quantities of the human protein

Question 10

Bacteria are extremely useful for genetic engineering purposes because, what?

Answer 10

1. They contain the same genetic code as the organisms we are taking the genes from, meaning they can easily ‘read’ it and produce the same proteins