Chapter 31 - Genetic engineering Flashcards
Define genetic engineering
Direct manipulation of an organisms genetic material.
Name three processes of genetic engineering
- Insertion of genes
- Alteration of genes
- Deactivation of genes
Describe the principles of using a vector in GE
- Chromosome or locus containing the gene is identified and isolated
- Restriction enzyme is used to cut DNA into segments and remove the required gene
- A bacterium of fungus is used
- Plasmids are removed from bacterium or fungus
- Plasmids cut open to form a strand
- Removed gene is inserted to form recombinant DNA
- Ligase used to join Recombinant DNA into a plasmid again
- Plasmid inserted back into host cell
- The bacterium reproduces by mitosis
Advantages of using artifically produced insulin
- Cheaper to extract and purify
- Identical to human insulin
- No allergic reactions occur
- Constant supply available
- The body shows a more rapid response to the hormone
Advantages of using genetically manipulated crops
- Can be modified to produce natural insecticides
- Can be herbicide resistant
- More draught resistance
- Increased nutritive quality
- Increased crop yield
Describe the goal of the human genome project
- To map the entire DNA base sequence of every chromosome in the human genotype
- Identify all genes in the human DNA sequence
- Working out the nucleotides in each gene
- Determining what each gene codes for
- To determine the precise role of each gene
How is the human genome project utilised in the modern world?
Satisfies the human quest for knowledge
Identifying genes causing genetic diseases
Imroved treatment of genetic diseases
Prevention of genetic diseases
Potential problems with irresponsible GE
- Transferred genes may have an effect on consumers, causing genetic disorders
- Unwanted genes may cause resistance in weeds to weed killers
- New extremely dangerous pathogens could be created accidentally
- Increased antibiotic resistance in bacteria
Define variation
- Differences existing in a species
- Result from mutations or environmental factors
Continuous variation
- Smooth gradation between individuals
- Caused by genetic and environmental factors
- No distinct catagories
- Height, skin colour, nose shape, etc
Discontinous variation
- Extremes
- You have a characteristic or you don’t
- Genetic ONLY
- Blood groups, gender, etc
Genetic variation
- Inheritable
- Involves different alleles
- Random fusion of gametes
- Mutations produce new alleles
Environmental variation
- Non-inheritable
- Acquired characteristics from environment (scars, hair lenght, etc)
Define a genetic mutation
The sequence of bases is not completely copied during replication. Change in instructions for protein synthesis occurs.
Faulty proteins or no proteins at all (cause of albinism) occurs
Define a mutagen
Factors increasing mutation chances
Also increases the rate at which mutations occur