Genetic engineering Flashcards
explain the process of genetic engineering
1.DNA taken from a human cell
2.Use a restriction enzyme to cut out the gene for insulin from the DNA
3.Remove the plasmid out of a bacterial cell
4.Use the same restriction enzyme to cut out a section of DNA from the plasmid
5.Insert the gene for insulin into the plasmid
6.Use an enzyme called ligase to join the ends of the DNA
7.Put the plasmid with the insulin gene back into a bacterial cell- the plasmid is called a vector as it contains a human gene
8.Leave the transgenic bacteria to divide (they contain DNA from another organism)
what is a marker gene?
genes for antibiotic resistance can be added at the same time as the desired characteristic into the plasmid
why are bacterial cells used to produce human proteins such as growth hormone and insulin?
they reproduce very quickly and there are no ethical issues
why is the plasmid considered to be a vector?
it carries the gene into the bacterial cell
what is the name of the enzyme used to attach the human gene to the bacterial plasmid?
ligase
what does a restriction enzyme do?
cuts out the targeted gene from the DNA at a specific sequence
what is a bacterial plasmid?
a ring of DNA from a bacterial cell
why is the same restriction enzyme used to cut the bacterial plasmid?
so they can join as they’ll have the same ‘sticky end’
what is a sticky end and why is it important?
a sticky end is a few exposed, unpaired bases on the ends of the DNA strands, it’s important as it allows the cut regions to complimentary base pair together
what is a transgenic bacterial cell?
it contains DNA from another organism
