Genetic engineering

Question 1

What do restriction enzymes do?

Answer 1

They recognise specific sequences of DNA and cut it off at these points.

Question 2

What do ligase enzymes do?

Answer 2

They are used to join 2 pieces of DNA together

Question 3

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 3

Two different bits of DNA stuck together

Question 4

What is a vector?

Answer 4

Something that’s used to transfer DNA into a cell.

Question 5

What are plasmids?

Answer 5

Small, circular molecules of DNA that can be transferred between bacteria.

Question 6

What are viruses?

Answer 6

Vectors which insert DNA into the organism they infect

Question 7

How does genetic engineering work?

Answer 7

1) The DNA being inserted is cut out with a restriction enzyme.
2) The vector DNA is then cut open using the same restriction enzyme.
3) The vector DNA and the DNA you’re inserting are mixed together with ligase enzymes.
4) This produces recombinant DNA
5) The recombinant DNA is inserted into other cells e.g. bacteria
6) These cells can now use the gene you inserted to make the protein you want.

Question 8

What does transgenic mean?

Answer 8

Contains genes transferred from another species