Applications of genetics

Question 1

Define transgenic organsims?

Answer 1

• Organisms which have received genes from another species

Question 2

State the process of genetic engineering?

Answer 2

1. To genetically modify something, we use a vector called a plasmid
2. You then cut the DNA you want to insert using a restriction enzyme
3. You then use ligase to stick the pieces produce recombinated DNA
4. Insert it into new cell

Question 3

After ligase has been used to attach the gene to the plasmid, the plasmid carrying the human DNA is refferred to as a…

Answer 3

• Vector

Question 4

What are some advantages and disadvantages of genetically modified crops?

Answer 4

Advantages:

• Higher crop yield/better food quality
• Disease resistant/pest resistant
• Less pesticides used

Disadvantages:

• Not accepted by public
• Long term affects are unknown
• Affects food chains
• Reduces variaton

Question 5

What is this machine called?

Answer 5

• Fermenter

Question 6

How does natural selection occur?

Answer 6

1. MVARPS (Mutation, Variation, Advantage, Reproduction, Pass on allele, Several generations)
2. There is a rare mutation
3. This increases variation within the population
4. The mutation gives organism an advantage and it reproduces
5. They will pass on their advantageous alleles to the next generation
6. Advantageous alleles will increase in gene frequency.
7. The less well adapted organisms will decrease in numbers and therefore over time become extinct.

Question 7

How to bacteria become resistant to antibiotics?

Answer 7

1. Doctor began using penecillin which killed bacteria
2. A chance of a mutation gave some bacteria resistance to the antibiotic
3. These bacteria were better adapted to an enviroment where pencillin was used
4. They survived in greater numbers to reproduce and passed on the resistnace allele
5. This was repeated with each generation of bacteria

Question 8

How do you clone a plant (Micropropagation)?

Answer 8

1. Tips of shoots are cut off the plant
2. The ex plants are sterilised
3. Explants are then grown in vitro and are placed onto a nutrient gel which contains plant hormones to encourage shoot growth
4. Cells in the explants divide and grow into a small plant
5. The small plants are transferred to compost and grown in greenhouses.

Question 9

How do you clone a mammal?

Answer 9

Question 10

What does the restriction enzyme do?

Answer 10

• To cut the DNA

Question 11

What is Ligase used for?

Answer 11

• To join DNA

Question 12

Give an example of where we would use genetic engenering?

Answer 12

• Producing Insulin using fermenters
• The bacteria that contains gene is transgenic