C13: Genetic Technology

Question 1

what is genetic engineering

Answer 1

a gene manipulation technique to modify an organism’s genetic materials to produce new combination of genes

Question 2

what is GMO

Answer 2

( Genetically Modified Organism )

- an organism that is produced by recombinant DNA technology

Question 3

what is genome

Answer 3

• a complete set of DNA

- contain all information to build and carry out life processes

Question 4

2 examples of transgenic organisms

Answer 4

• cow produce milk does not contain B-lactoglobulin (protein cause allergy)
• goat possesses human gene code for blood clotting factor to produce goat’s milk contain blood coagulation factor and can be purified treat haemophilia

Question 5

5 characteristics of GMF

Answer 5

( genetically modified food)

• resistance to pest
• resistance to herbicide
• resistance to disease
• tolerance to heavy metals
• application in medicine

Question 6

5 advantages of GMF

Answer 6

• overcome worldwide food shortage
• increase nutritional value
• reduce cost
• reduce pest problem
• reduce usage of pesticides

Question 7

3 disadvantages of GMF

Answer 7

• endangered natural species
• usually stronger might disrupt the food chain in ecosystem
• leakage of modified gene cause mutation of species
• foreign gene in GMF may transferred to humans (antibiotic-resistance gene)
• may have adverse effect on human heath and genetic materials

Question 8

2 examples of GMF

Answer 8

• bacillus thuringiensis inserted into corn to increase resistance against insect pest
• arabidopsis sp. plant’s gene is inserted into potato genome to increase tolerance freezing conditions and grow well in cold climate

Question 9

how super salmon is created

Answer 9

• approve by Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

- insert growth hormone from Chinook Salmon into genome of Atlantic salmon

Question 10

how human insulin gene is transferred to bacterium to produce insulin

Answer 10

bacterium: escherichia coli
1. insulin gene is cut with restriction enzymes
2. plasmid (circular DNA) found in bacterium used as cloning vector
3. human gene is inserted into a plasmid using DNA ligase enzyme
4. the recombinant plasmid is introduced into a bacterium
5. bacterial clone multiplies and produce insulin
6. insulin is extracted form transgenic bacteria and purified

Question 11

what is biotechnology

Answer 11

a field which utilises technology or method to manipulate organisms for biological products

Question 12

4 main biotechnology activities

Answer 12

• food and nutrition
• marine biotechnology
• industrial processes involve microorganisms
• improve agriculture product

Question 13

2 sub biotechnology activitied

Answer 13

• medicine and health

- environmental biotehcnology

Question 14

purpose of gene therapy

Answer 14

to treat or prevent genetic diseases

Question 15

how gene therapy work to prevent genetic disease

Answer 15

• a normal gene is cultivated and extracted in a lab
• the normal gene is inserted in a virus carrier
• the virus is introduced into patient via injection
• replace the abnormal gene
• stop the synthesis of mutated tissue

Question 16

3 diseases that can be cured by gene therapy

Answer 16

• muscular dystrophy
• cystic fibrosis
• few cancer

Question 17

purpose of DNA profiling technique

Answer 17

to identify individuals

Question 18

4 applications in DNA profiling

Answer 18

• identify criminal
• identify genetic diseases
• determine sustainability of organ donour and recipient
• solve paternity and maternity dispute

Question 19

8 steps in DNA profiling

Answer 19

1. sample is obtained from skin, blood and semen
2. DNA is extracted
3. restriction enzyme cut the DNA into different size of DNA fragments
4. DNA fragments are separated by gel electrophoresis
5. then is transferred to a nylon membrane
6. radioactive probes is added
7. X-ray film is placed on top of nylon membrane
8. X-ray film is processed to show positions of DNA bands

Question 20

function of bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

Answer 20

• to secrete toxin
• saved cost for pesticides
• increase yield
• used in cotton farm, corn and brinjal

Question 21

how Bt function

Answer 21

• gene that produces Bt toxin inserted into plants
• pest feed on the plants
• toxin affects the digestive system
• pest die

Question 22

what is bioremediation

Answer 22

a method which uses bacteria to clean up environmental pollutants

Question 23

what bacteria is used to treat oil spillage

Answer 23

• alconivorax borkumensis

- oil is its source of energy

Question 24

4 importance of biotechnology in agriculture

Answer 24

• produce best livestock and crops breed (tissue culture and cloning)
• produce paddy varieties which give more yield and mature faster
• produces disease-resistant clones
• mass reproduction by animal cloning

Question 25

5 importance of biotechnology in medicine

Answer 25

• reduce risk mental disease
• prevent specific diseases
• modify genetic content
• enable human with dwarf genetics can have normal children
• assist women with difficulty to conceive

Question 26

importance of biotechnology in forensic

Answer 26

to identify criminal based on body tissue and fluid

Question 27

3 importance of biotechnology in enviromental

Answer 27

• microbes expedite decay of waste products
• degrade faeces completely
• reduce pollutions

Question 28

how bioremediation works

Answer 28

• specific species of microorganism such as hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria can be used
• the bacteria will break down the hydrocarbon mixture via oxidation
• hydrocarbon compound is oxidised into water molecule and carbon dioxide
• the surface of water is cleaned by getting rid of oil spillage