Chapter 31 - Genetic engineering Flashcards

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1
Q

Define genetic engineering

A

Direct manipulation of an organisms genetic material.

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2
Q

Name three processes of genetic engineering

A
  • Insertion of genes
  • Alteration of genes
  • Deactivation of genes
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3
Q

Describe the principles of using a vector in GE

A
  • 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
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4
Q

Advantages of using artifically produced insulin

A
  • 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
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5
Q

Advantages of using genetically manipulated crops

A
  • Can be modified to produce natural insecticides
  • Can be herbicide resistant
  • More draught resistance
  • Increased nutritive quality
  • Increased crop yield
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6
Q

Describe the goal of the human genome project

A
  • 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
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7
Q

How is the human genome project utilised in the modern world?

A

Satisfies the human quest for knowledge
Identifying genes causing genetic diseases
Imroved treatment of genetic diseases
Prevention of genetic diseases

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8
Q

Potential problems with irresponsible GE

A
  • 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
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9
Q

Define variation

A
  • Differences existing in a species

- Result from mutations or environmental factors

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10
Q

Continuous variation

A
  • Smooth gradation between individuals
  • Caused by genetic and environmental factors
  • No distinct catagories
  • Height, skin colour, nose shape, etc
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11
Q

Discontinous variation

A
  • Extremes
  • You have a characteristic or you don’t
  • Genetic ONLY
  • Blood groups, gender, etc
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12
Q

Genetic variation

A
  • Inheritable
  • Involves different alleles
  • Random fusion of gametes
  • Mutations produce new alleles
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13
Q

Environmental variation

A
  • Non-inheritable

- Acquired characteristics from environment (scars, hair lenght, etc)

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14
Q

Define a genetic mutation

A

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

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15
Q

Define a mutagen

A

Factors increasing mutation chances

Also increases the rate at which mutations occur

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16
Q

Define natrual selection

A
  • Variations occuring among individuals in a population to give those individuals a better chance of survival. Strongest survive, interbreed. Offspring receive favourable alleles.
17
Q

Describe evolution

A

All organisms descend from common ancestors. Populations modify in response to environmental changes. These changes occur over millions of years.

18
Q

Now. Explain how natural selection leads to evolution. It’s not that hard. Use logic.

A
  • Individuals in a population have reproductive potential
  • Many fail to survive and die
  • Many fail to reproduce
  • This occurs due to environmental factors
  • Those best adapted to survive pass on their alleles to offspring. Variation occurs and phenotypes gradually change.
  • Gene pools change.
  • Over time, this leads to evolutionary changes.
  • After many years, a new species may arise.
19
Q

Sickle cell anaemia is a recessive gene. So what happens in the Heterozygous state? (Refer to malaria)

A

The person will NOT have sickle cell anaemia, but is LESS likely to suffer from malaria

20
Q

What are antibiotics?

A

Substances used in medicines that destroy disease causing bacteria

  • Earliest antibiotic is called penicillin, produced from a fungus
  • Many diseases can be successfully treated by antibiotics
21
Q

What is the effect of antibiotics on bacterium cells?

A

Antibiotics cause the cell walls of bacteria cells to become weaker during production. The pressure inside the cell can not be contained and the bacterium cell bursts and dies.

22
Q

Why do antibiotics NOT effect virusses?

A

Well… Let’s see. First off, virusses are NON-LIVING and therefore they cannot DIE. Virusses are non-cellular, have not cytoplasm and cell walls, and no cellular pressure, and cannot burst.

23
Q

So antibiotic-resistant bacteria is now a huge problem. What is this?

A
  • Antibiotics are widely misused
  • Patients do not complete antibiotic courses
  • They stop taking antibiotics when they start feeling better (idiots)
  • A partial course only kills weak bacteria
  • Natural selection occurs. Strong bacteria mutute and develop a resistance against the antibiotics, and the offspring inherits this trait.
  • Well done, you have now infested your body with a super-incurable bacterium cell. Dit sal jou leer.
24
Q

How do we prevent antibiotic resistance?

A
  • Antibiotics should be used sparingly
  • Courses must be completed
  • Reduce the need for antibiotcs by improving health and living conditions
25
Q

Now will follow an explination of how bacterium cells develop resistance due to SELECTIVE PRESSURE. Pay close attention to all the different terms used.

A
  • Antibiotic resistance is natural selection
  • Antibiotics place selective pressure on bacterium cells
  • Alleles providing no resistance will disappear from the population
  • Resistant allele passed on to offspring
    The frequency of this allele increases
  • The strongest cells survive
  • More advantages phenotypes are now passed on more frequently
26
Q

How does artificial selection and the production of a variety of plants and animals affect the economy?

A
  • Artificial selection used to create breeds which cannot occur naturally
  • Many organisms are genetically modified by humans
  • Leads to desirable characteristics
  • Best organisms are chosen to produce the next generation, while worse organisms are not allowed to breed
  • Leads to high milk production, high yield, resistance to drought in the respective organisms
  • Therefore, artificially selected animals and plants can boost an economy.
27
Q

Name some advantages artificial selection brings about, concerning crops

A
  • Climate adapted crops
  • Disease resistant crops
  • High yielding crops
  • More nutritious crops
28
Q

Name some advantages artificial selection brings about, concerning cattle

A
  • Disease resistant cattle

- Cattle produce more milk and/or meat

29
Q

State the importance of maintaining a gene bank and rare breeds

A
  • Gene banks are collections of different breeds and wild relatives of domesticated strains
  • A plant gene bank includes a collection of seeds or tissue cultures
  • Seeds may contain different genes
  • Which can be bred into desirable crops when required
  • Can be used for genetic engineering
30
Q

Examples of animal gene banks

A
  • Cold storage of sperm, eggs or embryos
  • Rare breeds can be conserved
  • Zoos and nature reserves where animals are protected also serves as a gene bank
  • Whole ecosystems are conserved