Genetic Engineering

Question 1

what is a genetically modified organism

Answer 1

an organism that has had its genetic information artificially modified

Question 2

what is genetic engineering

Answer 2

process in which the DNA of an organism is extracted and placed into another organism

Question 3

stages of genetic engineering

Answer 3

• restriction enzyme cuts desired DNA from one organism
• vector DNA (what is taking the dna) is cut open using the same restriction enzyme
• vector DNA and DNA you are inserting are mixed together with ligase enzymes
• ligases join pieces of DNA together from their sticky ends to make recombinant DNA

Question 4

how is insulin, which is made in the human body, mass produced

Answer 4

• the recombinant DNA you made from genetic engineering
• in this case, the inserted DNA is coding for insulin production, taken from a human cell
• is inserted into other cells, like bacteria
• the bacteria can use the gene for insulin production to produce insulin
• bacteria is then mass produced in a fermenter to sell

Question 5

what do restriction enzymes do

Answer 5

• they recognise specific sequences of DNA
• and cut the DNA at those points
• the pieces of DNA are left with sticky ends on where they have been cut

Question 6

what are ligase enzymes used to do

Answer 6

join two pieces of DNA at their sticky ends

Question 7

what is recombinant DNA

Answer 7

two pieces of DNA that have been stuck together

Question 8

what are vectors and what are the two examples of them

Answer 8

• vector is something that is used to transfer DNA into a cell
• examples are plasmids and viruses

Question 9

what are plasmids

Answer 9

plasmids are small, circular pieces of DNA that can be transferred between bacteria

Question 10

what do viruses do (as vectors)

Answer 10

they insert DNA into the organisms they infect

Question 11

what is the DNA you want to insert cut out with

Answer 11

restriction enzymes

Question 12

how is genetic engineering used in agriculture

Answer 12

crops can be genetically modified to be more resistant to herbicides

Question 13

what is the effect of genetically engineering plants to be herbicide resistant

Answer 13

• it means that farmers can spray their crops to kill weeds
• without killing the crop itself
• meaning that crop yield is increased

Question 14

how is genetic engineering used in medicine with an example

Answer 14

• other than the production insulin, researchers have been to transfer human genes that produce useful proteins int sheep and cows
• human antibodies used in therapy for illnesses such as arthritis are extracted from the animal through their milk

Question 15

what are the two concerns or disadvantages about genetically engineering animals

Answer 15

• it is hard to predict what effect modifying the animal’s genome has on it
• many genetically modified embryos dont survive and some genetically modified animals suffer from health problems in later life

Question 16

what are the two concerns or disadvantages about genetically engineering crops

Answer 16

• transplanted genes may get out into the environment, such as herbicide resistance gene being picked up by weeds and creating super weeds
• genetically modified food crops could adversely affect food chains or even human health