6.2.1 Cloning and Biotechnology Flashcards
What is a clone?
A genetically identical copy of an individual organism, cell or single gene.
How do plants produce natural clones? (5)
Due to their nature to reproduce asexually:
a structure is propagated from a perennating organ to form a clone independent from parents.
Bulbs+ tubers: underground structures produced from the swelling of a leaf or stem base. e.g Daffodils and potatoes.
Runners: when a lateral stem grows away from the parent plant and develops a new root where a vertical
stem grows. e.g strawberries
Rhizomes: horizontal stems develop buds which form new vertical shoots that grow into new plants.
Fragmentation
When a clone plant is produced from a small part of the original plant.
Tissue culture
Cloning of cells from a small group of genetically identical cells to form a mass of similar cells.
Explants are placed in growth medium which allow cells to grow by mitosis and differentiate into the different organs of a plant.
How is stem cuttings used in horticulture?
Cuttisngs obtained are dipped in rooting powder which contain auxins.
This grows new plant faster without the need for seeds and guarantees quality of plant created.
Describe the steps in micropropagation? (6)
- Original plant material is cut to make explants. The tissue is usually the meristem or axial buds.
- Sample is sterilised using ethanol and bleach so that it is free from disease caused by bacteria or fungi
- Following steps are now under aseptic techniques.
- Explant is placed into a growth medium (agar jelly) which contains vital nutrients: glucose, phosphates, nitrates and amino acids. As well as hormones that stimulate mitosis: auxins, cytokines.
- Cells divide to form a small massed called a callus. This is then sub-divided and placed into a new medium containing different concentrations of auxin and cytokines.
- Callus differentiates into tissues and organs to form a plantlet. This is then transferred to compost where it grows into a plant.
Callus
A mass of undifferentiated cells that are totipotent.
What are the advantages of cloning plants. (5)
Allows rapid production of crops with known qualities, which is quicker than planting with seeds.
Plants grown are disease-free.
Desirable qualities of a plant can be selected and reproduced. e.g seedless fruits.
Rare plants can be reproduced and conserved.
Infertile plants can also be reproduced.
Disadvantages of cloning plants. (5)
Monoculture: all plants will be susceptible to the smae disease/ pest. Allows disease/pests to infect all and spread rapidly.
Expensive: more technology and skilled workers require.
Gene pool is decreased so this leads to decreased variation. Prevents evolution from occurring
Infection of a virus means that all clones will also be infected.
Microbial infection stops the whole process, if aseptic techniques fail.
Immobilised ezyme
Enzyme fixed in place by attaching it to an inert, insoluble material.
Methods of immobilising enzymes (4)
Adsorption: mixing enzymes with adsorbing agents. This causes enzymes to form ionic/ hydrophobic links to agent.
Covalent bonding: enzymes are covalently bonded to an insoluble material using a cross-linking agent.
Entrapment: enzymes are trapped in alginate gel beads or cellulose fibres.
Membrane separation: enzyme is separate from substrate through a semi-permeable membrane.
Advantages of using immobilised enzymes
Enzymes can be reused as they don’t ‘run out’
Enzymes can be easily separate from product compared to separating product from undesired waste molecules.
Provides increased resistance to changes in pH and temperature.
Disadvantages of immobilised enzymes.
Some enzymes can become dislodged and lost. Making the process less efficient.
Due to fixed position, less movement disallows less collisions between substrates.
Aminoacylase
Produces pure samples of L-amino acids
Used as building blocks for making pharmaceutical molecules
Why is I useful to use micro-organisms in biotechnology?
Can be grown rapidly in mass sizes, which makes it cheaper.
Organisms have a short life cycle, so reproduction is rapid.
Organisms can be genetically engineered to produce desires product.
Organisms can be grown on waste products.
Avoids the ethical problem of using animals.
Disadvantage of using micro-organisms in biotechnology.
Some people do not enjoy food being grown from microbes or from waste material.
Food grown might not taste the same.
Fermentation can be contaminated
Using micro-organisms to make yoghurt
Bacteria is used: lactobacillus.
Milk is heated at first to denature proteins and form curds.
Bacteria is then added at cooler temperature.
Fermentation occurs when bacteria uses lactose in milk.
Using micro-organisms in making cheese and blue cheese.
Bacteria: lactococcus, lactobacillus.
Fungus: penicillium (blue cheese)
Milk is separated to curds using rennin. Bacteria ferments sugar to lactic acid.
In blue cheese, mould is added to give its ‘blue veins’
Using micro-organisms to make bread.
Fugue: yeast
Yeast is added as a rising agent
Micro-organisms
To make alcohol
Fungus: yeast
Yeast turns sugar to ethanol and CO2
Using micro-organisms to make mycoprotein
Fungus: Fusarium
In fermentation, the protein is made.
This has high protein content and a low fat and saturate fat content.
Also alternate protein source for vegans/vegetarians.
Using micro-organisms to produce human insulin
Bacteria: recombinant DNA technology
Insulting gene is inserted into bacteria. Bacteria produces insulting rapidly and secretes it.
Using micro-organisms to produce penicillin.
Fungus: penicillium
Fungus cells are grown in ‘fed batches’. Under stress they produce the mould.
Lactase
Enzyme that breaks down lactose sugar into galactose and glucose.
It can be immobilised to produce lactose free milk for lactose intolerant people.
