Biology 6.2.4 Flashcards
What is ‘Genetic Engineering’?
Genetic Engineering is Changing the Genetic Material of an Organism by Removing, or Altering, the Genes Within that Organism, or by Inserting Genes into it, from another Organism.
An Organism that has gone through Genetic Engineering is said to have been…
Genetically Modified.
An Organism that Receives Genetic Material from another Organism during Genetic Engineering is described as a…
Transgenic Organism.
What is a ‘Transgenic Organism’?
An Organism that Receives Genetic Material from another Organism during Genetic Engineering.
The DNA of a ‘Transgenic Organism’ now Contains ___ DNA.
Recombinant.
What is ‘Recombinant DNA’?
Organisms (Transgenic Organisms) that have Recombinant DNA have a Genetic Makeup that is Constructed of their own Native DNA, as well as DNA from another Organism (as Supplied to them in Genetic Engineering).
‘Recombinant DNA’ is a Combination of the Organism’s Native DNA, as well as the DNA of another Organism that was Supplied to them.
What are ‘Genetically Modified Plants’?
‘Genetically Modified Plants’ are Plants that have had Foreign DNA Inserted into their Genome.
3 Common Examples of Genetically Modified Plants: (3)
-Tomatoes have been Genetically Modified to Make them Grow Larger Fruit.
-Wild Rice has been Genetically Modified to Produce Beta Carotene (which is needed by Humans to make Vitamin A).
-Crop Plants have been Genetically Modified to be Resistant to Diseases, or Resistant to Certain Herbicides.
What is 1 Useful & Common Use of ‘Bacteria Genetic Engineering’?
The Genetic Modification of Bacteria to Produce Human Insulin.
Explain the Process of Genetic Modification of Bacteria to Produce Human Insulin: (8)
-The Gene for Human Insulin has been Inserted into Bacteria, which then Produce Human Insulin, which can be Collected & Purified for Medical Use, to Treat People with Diabetes.
-The Gene that is to be Inserted is Located in the Original Organism- the Gene for Insulin Production is Located within a Human Chromosome.
-‘Restriction Enzymes’ are Used to Isolate, or ‘Cut Out’ the Human Insulin Gene, Leaving it with ‘Sticky Ends’ (a Short Section of Unpaired Bases).
-A Bacterial Plasmid is Cut by the Same Restriction Enzyme, Leaving it with Corresponding Sticky Ends. (Plasmids are Circles of DNA, Found Inside Bacterial Cells.)
-The Plasmid & the Isolated Human Insulin Gene are Joined Together, by DNA Ligase Enzyme. If 2 Pieces of DNA have Matching Sticky Ends (Because they have been Cut by the Same Restriction Enzyme), DNA Ligase will Link them to Form a Single, Unbroken Molecule of DNA.
-The Genetically Engineered (Recombinant) Plasmid is Inserted into a Bacterial Cell.
-When the Bacteria Reproduce, the Plasmids are Copied as well, & so a Recombinant Plasmid can Quickly be Spread, as the Bacteria Multiply, & they will then all Express the Human Insulin Gene, & Make the Human Insulin Protein.
-The Genetically Engineered Bacteria Can be Placed in a Fermenter, to Reproduce Quickly, in Controlled Conditions, & Make Large Quantities of the Human Protein, Insulin.
Explain the Main Steps in Genetic Engineering: (4)
-First, we Identify the Gene that we want to Transfer. For Example, this Could be a Human Gene, a Gene from another Animal, or a Gene from a Plant.
-‘Restriction Enzymes’ are Used to Isolate / ‘Cut Out’ this Desired Gene.
-Now, we Transfer the Gene into a Plasmid (Small Circle of DNA). Plasmids Originally Came from Bacteria, & they are very Useful for Transferring DNA from One Organism to Another. However, Instead of Using a Plasmid, we can also Use a Virus. Because the Plasmid, or the Virus, Transfers the DNA From One Organism to Another, Scientists Call them Vectors.
-Finally, the Desired Gene is Transferred into the Cells of the Target Organism, for Example, an Animal, a Plant, or a Microorganism such as a Bacterium.
Genes are Always Transferred at a Very ___ Stage of the Organisms Development. Why is this?
Early. This is Done to Ensure that All of the Cells of the Organism end up Receiving the Transferred Gene. That way, the Organism Develops the Characteristics that we Want.
When Will Genes be Transferred to an Animal? Why?
Genes Will be Transferred in the Early Embryo Stage. This is Done to Ensure that All of the Cells of the Organism end up Receiving the Transferred Gene. That way, the Organism Develops the Characteristics that we Want.
Advantages of Genetically Modified Crops: (3)
-Reduced Use of Chemicals such as Herbicides & Pesticides; Better for the Environment.
-Cheaper / Less Time-Consuming for Farmers.
-Increased Yields from the Crops, as they are not Competing with Weeds for Resources, or Suffering from Pest Damage.
Disadvantages of Genetically Modified Crops: (5)
-Increased Costs of Seeds.
-Increased Dependency on Certain Chemicals.
-Risk of Inserted Genes being Transferred to Wild Plants by Pollination, which Could Reduce the Usefulness of the GM Crop.
-Reduced Biodiversity. Negative Impact on Animals.
-Research shows Some GM Plants Do Not Grow as well as Regular Plants.
