7.3.4 - Gene technology in plants

Question 1

What is a callus?

Answer 1

A bundle of cells

Question 2

What bacterium is used for making GM plants?

Answer 2

Agrobacterium tumerfaciens

Question 3

What is another word for tumours in plants?

Answer 3

Crown galls

Question 4

What is the name of the plasmid contained in the bacterium Agrobacterium tumerfaciens?

Answer 4

Ti plasmid.

Question 5

Describe the method of producing GM plants.

Answer 5

Plasmid removed from bacterium and cut with a restriction endonuclease.
Foreign DNA is cut with the same enzyme.
Foreign DNA is inserted into the plasmid.
Plasmid reinserted into the bacterium.
Bacterium is used to insert the plasmid carrying the foreign gene into the chromosome part of a plant cell.
Plant cells are grown in a culture.
A plant is generated from a cell clone. All cells carry the foreign gene.

Question 6

Why may genetic modification be used in plants?

Answer 6

Can make plants resistant to disease and pests.

Question 7

3 examples of genetic modification in plants.

Answer 7

Flood resistant rice.
Plants making their own pesticide in their leaves.
Changing the nutrient values in plants.

Question 8

Suggest why plants may be used to produce a protein rather than bacteria.

Answer 8

Do not need sterile conditions.
Safer than bacteria.
Cheaper.