Cloning and Biotechnology

Question 1

how can we produce natural clones of plants

Answer 1

vegetative propagation
part of a plant is separated and then develops into a new genetically identical plant

Question 2

how should a plant cutting be taken

Answer 2

stem is cut between leaf and nodes
replanted and allowed to grow

Question 3

how can we produce artifical clones of plants

Answer 3

tissue culture-sample placed on various nutrients to encourage cell division and growth
micropropagation-material produced from tissue culture is rapidly multiplied

Question 4

evaluate the use of artificial plant cloning

Answer 4

+large number of plants produced regardless of weather conditions
-reduces genetic variation so more susceptible to disease

Question 5

how can we produce artificial clones of animals

Answer 5

somatic cell nucleus transfer- differentiated cell from parent fused with enucleated egg cell
embryo splitting- artificially produces twins

Question 6

evaluate cloning animals

Answer 6

+quick process suited to growing population
+can preserve endangered species
-can suffer form health problems
-low genetic diversity

Question 7

why are microorganisms suited for use in biotechnological processes

Answer 7

rapid growth in a variety of environmental conditions
can be genetically engineered
reduces use of chemicals so better for environment

Question 8

give advantages of using microorganisms to produce food

Answer 8

+production rate varied
+not dependent on climate
+long lasting
+uses waste products

Question 9

give disadvantages of using microorganisms to produce food

Answer 9

-lack of flavour
-proteins must be isolated and purified
-contains different amino acids to animal proteins

Question 10

describe the technique to culture microorganisms

Answer 10

aseptic technique so no contamination occurs

Question 11

summarise three steps of growing microorganisms

Answer 11

1. sterilisation
2. inoculation-microorganism introduced to agar plate by spreading
3. incubation-placed in warm environment to grow

Question 12

differentiate between batch and continuous fermentation

Answer 12

batch=closed environment, competition for resources, maintains culture in stationary phase, easy to set up, less efficient
continuous=products continually removed, maintains culture in log phase

Question 13

describe the phases for a growth curve of an organism in a closed culture

Answer 13

lag=cells increase in size and take in water- population constant
log=cells divide-population increases exponentially
stationary=nutrient levels decrease, slowing growth rate, population stabalizes
death=toxic metabolites increase and kill cells

Question 14

what is an immobalised enzyme

Answer 14

an enzyme attached to an inert material to restrict its movement and hold it in place during a reaction so it can be reused

Question 15

give methods of immobalising enzymes

Answer 15

1. bonding=enzyme binds with support ionically or covalently
2. entrapment=enzyme placed in semi permeable material that allows diffusion of substrate to product
3. membrane separation=a partially permeable membrane separates enzyme from substrate

Question 16

give uses of immobalised enzymes

Answer 16

-glucose to fructose conversion
-semi synthetic penicillin production
-lactose to glucose/galactose conversion
-pure samples of amino acids
-dextrins to glucose conversion

Question 17

evaluate the use of immobalised enzymes

Answer 17

+product not contaminated by enzyme so doesnt need to be purified
+enzymes can be reused
+enzymes protected from harsh environment
-expensive
-reaction rate slower as enzymes cant move