Gene Tech Flashcards
Explain the social benefits of using gene editing to develop crops with mutations.
More food;
Improves quality of crop;
More income for farmers;
Cheaper food;
Spend less on chemicals and pesticides
Outline how practical techniques could be used to test the hypothesis that migratory behaviour in reindeer has a genetic basis.
Obtain blood / tissue / DNA;
From two or more individuals at different locations / form different subspecies
Test both subspecies ;
Use PCR to amplify DNA;
Use gel electrophoresis / DNA profiling / DNA fingerprinting and EITHER compare results OR see genetic differences;
Sequence DNA and count / identify differences / changes;
Use genome / DNA microarray
Test for correlation between DNA / genetic profiles / alleles / markers and migratory behaviour;
Use database / bioinformatics to find name / role of genes / sequences
Predict with reasons whether given phenotypic features show a continuous or a discontinuous pattern of variation.
Discontinuous:
Feature either present or absent;
Categoric;
No range / intermediates OR qualitative data OR does not show a normal distribution curve
Explain how the small size of the population resulted in a high frequency of these normally rare variant forms.
Features are controlled by genes / alleles;
Genetic drift;
Population went through a bottleneck;
Low / reduced number of alleles / genetic diversity / genetic variation;
Inbreeding;
Low / reduced heterozygosity;
Rare / deleterious recessive alleles show their effects
Describe the procedure of embryo transfer in mammals.
Mating / IVF;
Remove embryo from mated / artificially inseminated female;
Check / select healthy / best embryos;
May freeze embryos for storage / later use;
Implant embryos in different female uterus
Outline the principles of gene engineering.
Add DNA to give a new characteristic;
Restriction enzyme to obtain gene / allele / section of DNA OR restriction enzyme to cut plasmid;
Combine gene with / insert gene into vector / plasmid;
Introduce recombinant vector / plasmid to bacterium / cell;
Clone / multiply organism
Explain why aa single infusion (injection) of gene-corrected stem cells is enough to cure a disease.
Stem cells divide / multiply / make new cells;
Correct gene is inherited by / passed on to / present in new cells
Explain why a promoter has to be transferred as well as the desired gene.
To switch gene on / so gene is expressed / allow transcription;
At right time / all the time / ion sufficient quantities;
To allow binding of RNA polymerase
State ethical considerations of using a retrovirus (used to insert the new gene into DNA of the blood stem cells) for gene therapy.
Retrovirus / new gene could / must not insert in wrong place / disrupt other genes;
Must not cause cancer;
Must not cause infection / disease;
Must not cause immune / allergic response
Explain why gene editing is more suitable as a potential cure for Huntington’s disease.
HD is caused by a dominant allele;
Adding a ‘normal’ recessive allele would not work;
Gene editing can delete / remove / inactivate HD allele / DNA
Outline the features of a transcription factor.
Binds to promoter;
To switch gene on / so gene is expressed;
Allows binding of RNA polymerase to DNA / promoter
Explain why electrophoresis produces a DNA banding pattern on a gel.
DNA moves to positive electrode / anode;
Smaller / lighter fragments move faster / further
Outline how microarrays are used in the analysis of genomes.
Obtain single-stranded DNA;
Label DNA with fluorescent dye / tag / label;
Probes on chip / microarray;
Each probe is unique to a particular gene / allele;
DNA added binds / hybridises to probes;
Wash off excess DNA after hybridisation;
View under UV light / laser scanner / high resolution digital camera;
Fluorescence indicates presence of gene
Explain why bioinformatics is important to a study.
Large database;
Use database to find probes;
Fast / accurate / efficient;
Use of software / algorithms;
Statistics / statistical analysis
Individuals can choose to have their DNA analysed on a microarray chip to predict their risk of developing different diseases.
Outline the social and ethical considerations of this type of DNA analysis.
DNA analysis is not available for everyone;
Lifestyle change;
Early treatment;
Allows people to plan;
Decide whether to have children;
Results may cause anxiety / stress / panic OR reduce worry;
Results may affect ability to get insurance / jobs;
Predictions may not be accuratelevels of biodiversity
