8. Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering ?

Answer 1

The process of removing genetic information from one organism and inserting it into another. The genes then function in the new organism to produce a substance useful to man.

e.g. Bacteria can be altered so that they make PROTEINS from humans suc

Question 2

Give an example of genetic engineering used in humans?

Answer 2

The human gene which produces the protein insulin, can be inserted into a host bacterial cell which multiplies and therefore can produce a large quantity of insulin in a short time.

Patients with DIabetes need insulin injections to regulate blood sugar.

Question 3

Why are bacteria often used in genetic engineering?

Answer 3

Their genetic material is easier to alter and they reproduce (multiply) very rapidly.

Bacteria can double in numbers every 20 minutes

Question 4

Define required gene

Answer 4

The new gene that is being inserted into the organism.

Question 5

Define Source Chromosome

Answer 5

The chromosome that contains the required gene.

Question 6

Define Plasmid

Answer 6

A small circle of DNA found in bacterial cells. These
can be easily removed and inserted into other bacterial cells.

Question 7

Define Host Bacterial Cell

Answer 7

The new cell that the required gene is being inserted into.

Question 8

What is the first stage of genetic engineering?

Answer 8

Identify the section of DNA that contains the required GENE from the source chromosome.

Question 9

What is stage 2 of genetic engineering?

Answer 9

Extract the required gene from the donor DNA using ENZYMES. e.g. human Insulin.

Remember enzymes are needed for this!

Question 10

What is stage 3 of genetic engineering?

Answer 10

Extract the PLASMID from the host bacterial cell, and cut open to make space for the new gene.

AGAIN ENZMES ARE NEEDED TO CUT OPEN THE BACTERIAL PLASMID

Question 11

What is stage 4 of genetic engineering?

Answer 11

Insertion of the required gene into bacterial plasmid and seal using enzymes.

Question 12

What is stage 5 of genetic engineering?

Answer 12

Insert modified plasmid into host bacterial cell to produce a genetically modified organism.

Question 13

What is stage 6 of genetic engineering?

Answer 13

Genetically modified bacteria are cultured (allowed to multiply) and large quantities of protein (e.g. INSULIN ) are produced and extracted.

Question 14

What is a G.M.O.

Answer 14

Genetically Modified Organism…
Any living thing (organism) that has had its genetic material altered by genetic engineering.

Question 15

What are the advantages of genetic engineering?(2)

Answer 15

Produce large quantities of desired product

Wide range of substances of medicinal and commercial value produced.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of genetic engineering?(2)

Answer 16

Cost of development is expensive

Reprogrammed bacteria could get into the ecosystem with harmful effects.

Question 17

What are enzymes used for in genetic engineering

Answer 17

Enzymes are needed to cut out the desired genes from DNA and to cut open the bacterial plasmid. They are alao used to seal/glue the desired gene into the plasmid.

Question 18

Name structure x

The diagram below represents part of the process of genetic engineering.

Answer 18

X is the Plasmid

Question 19

If a bacteria has an initial concentration of 1000cells/cm3. Each cell divides once every 30
minutes. Calculate how long it will take for the concentration to become greater than 15000 cells/cm3

Answer 19

120 min
0 min = 1000
30 min = 2000
60 min = 4000
90 min = 8000
120 min = 1600cells

Question 20

A - Extraction of required gene → Insertion of plasmid into bacterial cells → Growth of transformed bacterial cells

B - Growth of transformed bacterial cells → Insertion of plasmid into bacterial cells → Extraction of required gene

C- Insertion of plasmid into bacterial cells → Growth of transformed bacterial cells → Extraction of required gene

Which sequence is correct in the process of making a GMO?

Answer 20

A - Extraction of required gene → Insertion of plasmid into bacterial cells → Growth of transformed bacterial cells

Question 21

Choose the correct order from the table.

Answer 21

A

Question 22

What does a bacterial cell that has received genetic information from another organism use its coded instructions to produce?

A. DNA
B. A gene
C. A new type of protein

Answer 22

C. A new type of protein