GENETIC ENGINEERING Flashcards
What is genetic engineering?
Changing the DNA in living organisms to create something new
What are organisms that have been modified through genetic engineering called?
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
What is another term for genetically modified organisms?
Transgenic organisms
Name one example of a genetically modified organism.
Bacteria that produce human insulin
What are the three types of artificial selection?
- Selective breeding
- Hybridization
- Inbreeding
What is selective breeding?
Mating animals with desired characteristics to produce offspring with those traits
Provide an example of selective breeding.
Angus cows bred to increase muscle mass
What is hybridization?
Crossing two individuals with unlike characteristics to produce the best traits
Provide an example of hybridization.
Luther Burbank created a disease-resistant potato called the Burbank potato
What is inbreeding?
Breeding of organisms that are genetically similar to maintain desired traits
What is a risk associated with inbreeding?
Increased chance of recessive genetic disorders
What is cloning?
Creating an organism that is an exact genetic copy of another
What is a clone?
A group of cells or organisms that are genetically identical as a result of asexual reproduction
Who was Dolly?
The first mammal cloned
List one benefit of cloning.
- Making exact copies of organisms with strong traits
- Increasing food supply
- Medical purposes: clone organs for transplants
- Bring back or stop species from going extinct
What is gene splicing?
Cutting DNA out of one organism and putting it into another organism
What is a plasmid?
Circular DNA in a bacterial cell that is easy to manipulate
What is a restriction enzyme?
An enzyme that cuts DNA at a specific sequence
What is transformation in genetic engineering?
When a gene from one organism is transferred to a different organism
What are transgenic organisms?
Organisms that have had DNA transferred to them
What is biotechnology?
The technology of life that has arisen from genetic engineering
What is one use of transgenic animals?
To produce what humans need, such as increased milk production in cows
What is a benefit of transgenic corn?
Produces a natural pesticide and does not require spraying with harmful pesticides
What is gene therapy?
Cutting out disease-causing genes and inserting good genes
