Gene Technology

Question 1

How does genetic engineering work?

Answer 1

by taking a copy of a gene from one organism and inserting it into the DNA of another organism (Creating a genetically modified organims)

Question 2

How does genetic engineering occur in bacterial cells?

Answer 2

1)useful gene is cut from the DNA of one organism using a RESTRICTION ENZYME.
This enzyme breaks the bonds between the nucleotides

2)Restriction enzyme cuts DNA in a way leaving short sections of DNA at the end of the gene called sticky ends

3) the bacterial plasmid DNA is cut open using a restriction enzyme and this will also have sticky ends

4) the useful gene and the plasmid DNA are joined together by DNA ligase with complementary sticky ends and are inserted into the plasmid and H-bonds form

5)this is then inserted back into the bacterial cell - plasmid acts as a vector carrying gene into the bacterial cell - this can be cloned and cultured

Question 3

What cell types can be genetically modified?

Answer 3

Body cells
Stem cells
Gamete Cells

Question 4

Example of how body cells are modified?

Answer 4

Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that affects cells in the lungs

Gene therapy allows adding a gene to lung cells to enable cells to produce a protein to reduce the symptoms of the condition

Question 5

Example of how stem cells are genetically modified?

Answer 5

Sickle cell anaemia affects the production of haemoglobin as red bloods cell transport oxygen with a altered shape therefore not efficient

GM bone marrow cells can be used to create read blood cells with Hb that have more suited shape to carry oxygen

Question 6

Advantages of using GM cells / gene therapy?

Answer 6

longer lasting treatment
increased quality of life
less chance of rejection by body cells
reduced need for medication

Question 7

Advantages and Disadvantages of using GMOs to produce medicine?

Answer 7

adv:
enables larger quantities of medicine to be produced
made from human proteins so less side effects

disadv:
only been used for short period of time - don’t know the long term effect

Question 8

Advantages of using GMOs to develop vaccines?

Answer 8

adv:
safer and cheaper vaccines for deadly diseases for everyone

Question 9

Advantages and Disadvantages of using GM pigs to be developed with human like organs?

Answer 9

adv:
can be used when there is a shortage of organ donors

disadv:
people object due to ethical reasons

Question 10

What is a totipotent stem cell?

Answer 10

cells that can differentiate and develop into any type of specialised cells found in an ADULT HUMAN

Question 11

What type of cells are pluripotent?

Answer 11

embryonic stem cells

Question 12

What is a pluripotent stem cell?

Answer 12

Like totipotent cells pluripotent can differentiate into any type of cell in an adult except the umbilical cord only totipotent cells can do this

Question 13

What are multipotent stem cells?

Answer 13

undifferentiated cells which can only differentiate into a small number of cell types in adults

Question 14

What are the risks associated with stem cell treatment?

Answer 14

• increased risk of cancer developing
  -rejection by the immune system - as transplanted cells are foreign cells

Question 15

how can embryonic cells be used?

Answer 15

-treating diabetes
- treating burns by replacing damaged tissues
replacing neurones in damaged neurones injuries
replacing cells in the heart damaged in a heart attack

Question 16

how is the use of embryonic cells controversial?

Answer 16

must be obtained from human embryos - unethical

Question 17

What are disadvantages of selective breeding?

Answer 17

• decreases genetic variation
• increases chances of genetic conditions arising in animals - inherited conditions
• ethical concerns
• may result in larger numbers of animals being killed if they have a condition that farmers don’t want