Genetic engineering

Question 1

What is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

This is changing the genetic material of an organism by removing, changing or inserting individual genes

Question 2

What is biotechnology?

Answer 2

Using living organisms to carry out processes that make substances that we want.

Question 3

What is the first step for genetic enginering?

Answer 3

The isolation of the DNA making up a human gene using restriction enzymes. This forms sticky ends

Question 4

What is the second step for genetic engineering?

Answer 4

The cutting of the bacterial plasmid DNA with the same restriction enzymes forming complementary sticky ends

Question 5

What is the third step for genetic engineering?

Answer 5

Insertion of the human DNA into the bacterial plasmid DNA using DNA ligase to form a recombinant plasmid.

Question 6

What is the fourth step for genetic engineering?

Answer 6

Insertion of plasmid into bacteria

Question 7

What is the final(fifth) step for genetic engineering?

Answer 7

Replication of the bacteria containing recombinant plasmids. They make the human protein as they express the gene

Question 8

In a fermenter, what is the purpose of the pH Probe?

Answer 8

Maintains the pH at approximately 6.5, so that the fungus has an optimum pH to grow

Question 9

Why does temperature need to be maintained/controled by a water jacket in a fermenter?

Answer 9

It prevents the fermenter from getting too hot due to penicillium producing heat as it respires

Question 10

WHat is the function of the temperature probe?

Answer 10

Maintains temperature between 23 and 28 degrees celcius to provide optimum conditions for fungal growth. It monitors or controls temperature.

Question 11

Why is there a safety alve at the top of the fermenter?

Answer 11

Excess gases like CO2 are removed to prevent explosions

Question 12

Why are the contents of the fermenter stirred continuously?

Answer 12

This keeps the fungus in contact with fress supplies of nutrients and mixes oxygen into the culture

Question 13

How can a fermemter be sterilised?

Answer 13

• Sterilise the nutrients and air supply entering the fermemter
• Steam
• High temperature and pressure
• UV/gamma radiation

Question 14

What is the function of the nutrient inlet?

Answer 14

Supplies glucose/amino acids/ nutrients for respiration or growth

Question 15

What is the funtion of the outlet/tap?

Answer 15

Allows collection of the liquid containing penicillin after fermentation

Question 16

How does sugar affect the rate at which penicillin is extracted?

Answer 16

Too much sugar = little penicillin made
No sugar = no penicillin
Small amounts must be fed into the fermemter all the time that the fungus is producing penicillin

Question 17

Why is it useful for the fungus to be rolled into pellets as the mixture is stirred?

Answer 17

Makes it easier to seperate the fungus from the liquid containing penicillin.

Question 18

What happens to the liquid containing penicillin after it is collected?

Answer 18

Penicillin is extracted.

Question 19

How is penicillin made?

Answer 19

The fungus penicillium is grown in a culture medium containing amino acids and carbohydrates in a large fermemter.

Question 20

What is the function of penicillin?

Answer 20

It is an antibiotic that kills bacteria by breaking down their cell walls. It prevents them from forming new cell walls.