8C

Question 1

how drugs can be produced using genetically modified micro-organisms

Answer 1

• restriction enzymes are used to remove the gene coding for a desired protein from an organisms genome
• many copies are made using PCR
• these copies are inserted into small loops of DNA called plasmids
• the genetically modified micro-organisms are grown in large quantities

Question 2

how drugs can be produced using genetically modified plants

Answer 2

• the genetically modified bacteria is used to infect the plant cells
• the gene is transferred from bacterial cell to into the plant cell nucleus, then the plant will divide into adult cells which produce the desired protein

Question 3

how drugs can be produced using genetically modified animals

Answer 3

• the gene that codes for the desired protein is injected into the nucleus of the zygote
• the zygote is implanted into into the uterus of organism into an adult animal that has the desired protein

Question 4

how recombinant DNA can be produced

Answer 4

• the DNA with new nucleotides from other species is called recombinant DNA
• it involves:
• identification of the desired gene * isolation of the desired gene by using enzyme called reverse transcriptase to convert from mRNA to DNA, cutting the gene involves using enzyme restriction endonucleases
• desired genes can be inserted using DNA ligase to catalyze the formation of phosphodiester bond

Question 5

how microarrays can be used to identify active genes

Answer 5

• a microarray consists of small pieces of glass, plastic or silicon that has DNA probes, then it is washed over array, if they contain any of the gene probes then the DNA will hybridise

Question 6

what are DNA probes

Answer 6

DNA probes are short, single stranded lengths of DNA linked to an easily identifiable label such as a fluorescence protein or a radioactive tag; these single stranded probes bind to any complementary sequences present in a DNA sample, indicating their presence by fluorescing or under an x-ray

Question 7

what is meant by the term bioinformatics

Answer 7

the development of the computing tools that are needed to organize and analyse biological data

Question 8

what the risks and benefits associated with the use of genetically modified
organisms

Answer 8

benefits:
- crops can be modified to produce higher yields and have increased nutritional value
- crops can be modified to be resistant to pests and disease
- enzymes used in processes can e modified
- diseases can be treated with human proteins, reduces the risk of allergic reaction
- vaccines can be produced in genetically modified plant tissues
- GMO guarantee low-cost supply
risks:
- impacts of GM food on human health
- pests may become resistant to modified plants
- transmission of genetic material between GM and non-GM
- using large fields for monoculture that are bad for biodiversity, seeds can be expensiv
- ethical issue