genetic engineering

Question 1

what is genetic engineering?

Answer 1

-technique used to transfer genes from on organism to another
-result in formation of transgenic organisms

Question 2

describe the production of human insulin.

Answer 2

1. cut insulin gene from human chromosome using restriction enzyme
   -produce sticky ends
2. obtain a plasmid from a bacterium, using same restriction enzyme
   -produce complementary sticky ends
3. mix the plasmid with DNA fragment containing the insulin gene
   -add ligase to join insulin gene to plasmid, form recombinant plasmid
4. mix the recombinant plasmid with ecoli bacterium, apply temporary electric shock to open up pores in cell surface membrane of each bacterium for plasmid to enter
   -bacterium will use new gene to make insulin.

Question 3

what is a transgenic organism?

Answer 3

-organism that requires a foreign gene