Applied Genetics Flashcards
What is skin cancer caused by?
It is caused by random changes to gene structure. The gene damage can be caused by UV Light.
What is Down Syndrome caused by?
It is caused by an error during Meiosis. Sometimes the 2 chromosomes in a pair fail to segregate properly and 1 gamete ends up with 24 chromosomes. If this gamete is involved in fertilisation the Down Syndrome child will have 47 chromosomes per cell.
What is Cystic fibrosis?
It is an inherited disease caused by a recessive allele
What is genetic screening used for?
It can be used to identify the presence of genetic conditions, e.g Down Syndrome.
What ethical issues does genetic screening raise?
Should mother have abortion is child had Down syndrome?
Should all mothers have to take screening?
Should they chose?
Should screening for child’s sex be allowed?
Should screening be used for all genetic diseases?
What is one thing genetic engineering is used for?
It can be used to make human insulin.
Describe the process of making human insulin using genetic engineering.
The human gene that codes for insulin is transferred into a plasmid of bacteria cell using special enzymes to form a genetically modified bacterium which then multiplies and produces human insulin.
What is the bacteria that produces human insulin made from genetic screening grown in?
Large fermenters
What are the advantages of using genetic engineering to make human insulin?
Much more insulin produced
Less expensive
More effective than traditional insulin sourced from dead animals
(Has lead to development of many more products being produced using genetic engineering)
What are mutations?
They are changes in chromosome number/structure of genes
