biotechnology and genetic engineering Flashcards
why is bacteria useful in biotechnology and genetic engineering
Bacteria are useful in biotechnology and genetic engineering due to their rapid reproduction rate and their ability to make complex molecules
why are microorganisms used in biotechnology and genetic engineering
Bacteria and fungi are small and easy to grow in a lab
They reproduce quickly and don’t take up much space
No ethical issues involved
Genetic code is the same for bacteria as it is for human
Bacteria have loops of DNA called plasmids which are easy to transfer from one cell to another
how are biofuels made
Use plants to make sugars which yeast then breaks down to make ethanol
Ethanol can then be used as a fuel
making ethanol/biofuel process
Maize is treated with amylase enzyme (starch to glucose)
Add yeast (glucose used in respiration) and make it respire anaerobically
Ethanol that is produced is extracted by distillation
Mixed with gasoline to increase energy and can be used in cars
how is bread made
Flour, sugar, water and salt are mixed with yeast to make the dough.
Amylase breaks down some starch to make maltose and glucose. This is used by yeast in respiration
The dough is kept in a warm, moist environment (28°c). Yeast ferments sugar making carbon dioxide which creates bubbles, so bread rises
Cooking (at 180°c) – kills yeast, evaporates alcohol and hardens outer surface.
uses of pectinase
Fruit juices are extracted using pectinase (breaks down pectin)
Pectin helps plant walls stick together
If pectin is broke down, it’s easier to squeeze juice from the fruit
Extraction of juice from fruit, making juice clear not cloudy
uses of biological washing powders
Biological washing powders and liquids contain enzyme that help remove stain
The enzymes are coated with a special wax that melts in the wash releasing the enzyme
Once the stains have been broken down, they are easier for detergents to remove
Proteases break down proteins in stains e.g. grass, blood
Lipases break down stains containing fats and oil
Carbohydrases break down carbohydrate-based stains, such as starch
uses of lactase
Enzyme that breaks down lactose (sugar found in milk)
People can stop making lactase naturally, therefore can’t digest lactose
Milk can be treated with lactase to break down lactose before a person drinks it
Also produces glucose & galactose, used in sweets
what is penicillin
an antibiotic produced by a fungus called penicillium.
method of producing penicillin
Stainless steel fermentation vessel is filled with medium containing sugars and ammonium salts.
Penicillium is added to produce penicillin. They use sugar for respiration and ammonium salts to make protein and nucleic acids
The fermentation vessel consists of PAWS
Probes monitor temperature and pH
Air provides oxygen for aerobic respiration in fungus
Water-cooled jacket removes heat to maintain temperature of 24C.
Stirrer keeps the microorganism suspended (allowing access to nutrients and oxygen) while maintaining an even temperature.
Filtered to remove fungus and then can be crystallized to make capsules.
what is genetic engineering
changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes
examples of genetic engineering
the insertion of human genes into bacteria to produce human insulin
the insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to herbicides
the insertion of genes into crop plants to confer resistance to insect pests
the insertion of genes into crop plants to provide additional vitamins
use human insulin for bacteria
Isolation of the DNA making up a human gene using restriction enzymes, forming sticky ends
Cutting of bacterial plasmid DNA with the same restriction enzymes, forming complementary sticky ends
Insertion of human DNA into bacterial plasmid DNA using DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid – insertion of plasmid into bacteria
Replication of bacteria containing recombinant plasmids which make human protein as they express the gene
advantages of genetically modified crops
- Uniform in shape – easy to transport/ appeal consumers
- Growing season shorter
- Drought resistant – less water
- higher yields
disadvantages of genetically modified crops
- Natural species may die
- Tastes often not as good
- Lead to development of super weeds – stronger than GM
- No one knows long term effect on humans
