Genetic Engineering

Question 1

What is Selective Breeding?

Answer 1

It’s a method of breeding that allows only individuals with desired characteristics to reproduce.

Question 2

What is Hybridization?

Answer 2

It’s a breeding technique that crosses dissimilar individuals to bring together the best traits of both organisms.

Question 3

What is a Hybrid?

Answer 3

The result of breeding 2 dissimilar individuals.

Question 4

What is inbreeding?

Answer 4

Continued breeding of individuals with similar characteristics to maintain the desired characteristics of a line of organisms. It preserves unique characteristics.

Question 5

What is used to new kinds of bacteria and plants?

Answer 5

Radiation & Chemicals

Question 6

What is Polypoidy?

Answer 6

When the cells of an organisms have multiple sets of chromosomes

Question 7

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 7

An organism that has had DNA from another organism inserted into the DNA of its cells

Question 8

What is a Restrictor Enzyme?

Answer 8

It cuts DNA at a specific sequence.

Question 9

What is Ligase?

Answer 9

It acts as glue & “glues” DNA together. It is used when inserting genes into DNA.

Question 10

Describe how large amounts of Human Insulin are made.

Answer 10

Human Insulin Gene cut using Restrictor Enzymes. Placed in plasmid using same restrictor enzyme. Ligase glues into plasmid. Offspring are used to retrieve insulin.

Question 11

Why do we use transgenics?

Answer 11

To produce important substances for health & industries, to produce cancer fighting substances, new types of fibers, to make insect resistance crops, bigger animals for food.

Question 12

What is a somatic cell?

Answer 12

A body cell (Diploid)

Question 13

What is an Enucleated cell?

Answer 13

Cell without Nucleus

Question 14

What is a surrogate mother?

Answer 14

Female that carries another Female’s Embryo.

Question 15

Making changes in the DNA code of a living organism is known as

Answer 15

Genetic Engineering

Question 16

What is DNA extraction?

Answer 16

Using chemicals to remove DNA from cells.

Question 17

What are used to cut DNA?

Answer 17

Restrictor Enzymes

Question 18

How does DNA electrophoresis work?

Answer 18

DNA is cut using Restrictor enzymes (everyone’s DNA will cut at different places because everyone’s DNA is different). Samples are then placed on a tray that has a gel on it. Electricity is run through the gel and the pieces being to move toward the positive pole (since DNA is negatively charged). The larger pieces move slower than the smaller ones so you end up with a unique Banding Pattern.

Question 19

What is DNA electrophoresis good for?

Answer 19

DNA fingerprinting (Crime Scenes) & Paternity Tests

Question 20

What is Recombinant DNA?

Answer 20

A piece of DNA that has genes from another organism.

Question 21

What is PCR used for?

Answer 21

To make many copies of genes or pieces of DNA

Question 22

Explain how PCR works

Answer 22

DNA is heated up so it separates. DNA polymerase is added (along with nucleotides) and each strand of separated DNA can now make copies of itself when it is cooled down. This process is repeated over and over until many copies of that piece of DNA are made. * “DNA Primers” are also involved, which are needed for DNA polymerase to being making copies of the DNA].

Question 23

What is a plasmid?

Answer 23

A circular bacterial piece of DNA