Genetic engineering Flashcards
What is: GENETIC ENGINEERING
The transfer of genes from one organism to another(eg. human to bacteria)
Why are bacteria good for genetic engineering?
Because they contain plasmids which can be removed, altered and then placed into another bacterium.
What does insulin do?
Keeps the blood sugar at the correct level.
What does a lack of insulin cause?
Diabetes.
Why is the demand for insulin increasing?
The number of diabetics are increasing.
Diabetics are living longer.
Why is producing insulin by genetic engineering good?
It means that we can make as much as we need.
What is: The transfer of genes from one organism to another(eg. human to bacteria) ?
Genetic engineering.
What: Keeps the blood sugar at the correct level?
Insulin
How is human insulin produced in genetic engineering?
A working human insulin gene is removed from a non diabetic. It is placed into the plasmid of a bacterium, which is then able to produce human insulin.
What is a: REPROGRAMMED BACTERIAL CELL?
The bacterial cell that contains the new desired gene.
What are: GENETICALLY MODIFIED ORGANISMS?
Any organisms which have had genes inserted from another organism.
What are genetically modified organisms important in?
The development of new varieties of animals and plants.
Improving the quality and quantity of food produced.
Beneficial in the search for new cures for diseases.
What are examples of GMO to crop plants?
Drought tolerance. Disease resistance. Pest resistance. Easier harvesting. Richer in vitamins.
What is: The bacterial cell that contains the new desired gene.
A reprogrammed bacterial cell.
What are: Any organisms which have had genes inserted from another organism.
Genetically modified organisms.
What is: GENE THERAPY
The replacement of a defective gene with a fully fuctional gene.
What are some difficulties with gene therapy?
It is difficult getting the genes into the cancer cells.
Using modified viruses to do this can result in diseases being inserted.
In trials there have been some unexplained deaths.
Why is gene therapy controversial?
Because if you can change the genes of a patient, it could be passed on to their children.
What is: The replacement of a defective gene with a fully fuctional gene?
Gene therapy.
