Biology - Review - 14 Flashcards
What is ‘Gene cloning’?
Gene cloning is the copying of individual genes for sequencing, research and the production of recombinant proteins.
Whate are ‘therapeutic recombinant human proteins’?
Therapeutic recombinant human proteins, made trom recombinant DNA in bacteria, yeast or animal cell cultures, include hormones, cytokines, enzymes and vaccines.
What is ‘gene therapy’?
Gene therapy replaces the defective gene that causes disease with a normal gene.
What is used for ‘gene therapy’?
Viral vectors and liposomes are used to deliver recombinant DNA to target cells for gene therapy.
What is ‘DNA profiling’?
DNA profiling compares variable short tandem repeat (STR) regions of the genome for identification of individuals.
What does ‘genetic screening’ do?
Genetic screening identifies disease-associated mutations in foetuses, newborns or adults.
What are the issues of DNA technology applications?
7 items
Issues of DNA technology applications include:
- Cost and scale of production of therapeutic proteins
- Ethics of gene transfer between species
- Safety of gene transfer
- Accuracy of genetic tests
What are ‘genetically modified organisms’?
Genetically modified organisms are organisms with modifications made to one or more genes.
What is a common method of transferring genes?
Agrobacterium tumefaciens and plasmid transfer is a well established method of transferring genes into plant cells.
What are transgenic plants?
Transgenic plants are used in agriculture, providing varieties that resist insect attack, are herbicide resistant or have improved yield or nutritional content
What are the social implications of GMOs?
6 points
- Increased food supply, nutritional content and food quality
- Expanded range for growth of agricultural species
- Access to the technology; social equality/inequality
- Labelling and consumer choice
- Patents
What are the biological implications of GMOs?
6 points
- Safety of consuming GMOs
- Cross-pollination between GM plants and wild plants
- Cross-pollination between GM and non-GM crops
- Viability of transgenic organisms in the wild
- Health of GMOs
- Genet
What are the ethical implications of GMOs?
3 Points
- Violation of animal rights
- Human self-interest overrides ethical treatment of other organisms
- Intervention in evolutionary process
What is an epidemic?
An epidemic is the sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease in a localised area.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents.
What are zoonotic disease
A disease transmitted from animals to humans.
- Zoonotic diseases pose a threat to populations in close contact with natural host animals.
- Control of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, such as insect vectors carrying par
What do antiseptics and disinfectants do?
Antiseptics and disinfectants control the number of pathogenic organisms or agents in the environment and on surfaces.
What are antibiotics?
Antibiotics are natural or synthetic molecules that slow bacterial growth (bacteriostatic) or kill bacteria (bactericidal).
How do antiviral drugs work?
Antiviral drugs target proteins tor virus entry into cells, replication within cells or exit from cells.
How do antiretroviral drugs work?
Antiretroviral drugs are specific for retroviruses, such as HIV; they inhibit specific enzymes such as reverse transcriptase.
What is drug resistance?
Bacteria, protists. fungi and viruses develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs.
Drug resistance arises by mutation and transfer of these new gene variants.
What is rational drug design?
Rational drug design specifically develops a drug to be complementary to the shape and/or charge on a target molecule; the drug fits the active site or binding site to prevent its action.
Relenza was developed by rational drug design to block an enzy
Major contributors to the emergence and spread of disease?
- Human demographics and behaviors
- Mobility
- Cultural traditions
- Changes in lifestyle
- Sanitation and general hygiene
What has been the impact of antimicrobial drugs?
Overuse and inappropriate application of antimicrobial drugs has contributed to the evolution of resistant pathogens.
