Genetic Engineering

Question 1

Diabetes

2 marks




Answer 1

A lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high.

Question 2

Fermenter

(2 marks)


Answer 2

A tank containing nutrients, which is used to grow large numbers of bacteria or yeast.


Question 3

Plasmid 


2 marks

Answer 3

A small, circular piece of DNA found in a bacterial cell.

Question 4

Restriction endonuclease enzyme

2 marks

Answer 4

An enzyme that can cut DNA in specific places in the DNA molecule.

Question 5

Genetic engineering

4 marks

Answer 5

Can be done by transferring a desirable gene from a donor organism into the genome of a recipient organism.

Question 6

Genetic engineering is useful in

3 marks

Answer 6

Agriculture, technology + has helped further scientific research.

Question 7

Genetic engineering can be carried out on

2 marks

Answer 7

Plants + animals.

Question 8

Examples of Genetic Engineering

4 marks

Answer 8

• Banana vaccine
• Venomous cabbage
• Enviropig
• Spidergoat

Question 9

Banana vaccines

3 marks

Answer 9

An engineered part of a virus is injected into the fruit where it multiplies thousands of times.

When eaten, it produces antibodies which fight off deadly disease.

Question 10

Venomous cabbage

3 marks

Answer 10

By injecting cabbages with scorpion venom, scientists figured out a way of stopping caterpillars from eating their way through an entire crop.

And the venom is altered to be safe for humans.

Question 11

Enviropig

3 marks

Answer 11

Phosphorous is a harmful chemical found in pig manure.

• Canadian scientists have genetically engineered a pig embryo so that pigs produce up to 70% less of manure.

Question 12

Spidergoat

5 marks

Answer 12

Researchers in the USA discovered, inserting a spider gene into the DNA of goats meant the goats produced milk containing an extra protein

• which can be spun into spider silk thread used in things like protective clothing and car interiors.

Question 13

Usually the recipient organism in Genetic Engineering is a bacterial cell because:

(4 marks)

Answer 13

Bacterial DNA;

• is easily manipulated.
• can reproduce very rapidly.

The bacteria then have the ability to make whatever the desirable gene codes for - e.g insulin

Question 14

Often the recipient organism in Genetic Engineering

1 mark

Answer 14

Bacterial Cell

Question 15

Before genetic engineering, insulin was obtained from

1 mark

Answer 15

Pigs + cattle.

Question 16

Why is insulin required now more than ever?

1 mark

Answer 16

Increase in the number of diabetics.

Question 17

Insulin Production Process

16 marks

Answer 17

1. Human insulin gene is removed using a restriction enzyme.
2. Bacterial plasmid is cut open using the same restriction enzyme.
3. Restriction enzymes leave ‘sticky ends’, where 1 of 2 DNA strands is longer than the other.
4. Using the same restriction enzyme to cut both the human DNA + bacterial plasmid results in complementary sticky ends that join by base pairing.
5. Different enzyme is used to join insulin gene + bacterial plasmid.
6. Bacterial plasmid containing the insulin gene is placed into a bacterial cell.
7. Bacterial cell is placed in a fermenter.
8. Downstreaming occurs.
9. Pure insulin produced can be used to treat diabetes.

Question 18

Downstreaming

3 marks

Answer 18

When insulin is extracted, purified + packaged.

Question 19

Uses of the Restriction Enzyme in the insulin production process

(7 marks)

Answer 19

1. Remove Human insulin gene
2. Cuts open the Bacterial plasmid.
3. Leave ‘sticky ends’, where 1 of 2 DNA strands is longer than the other.
4. Cuts both the human DNA + bacterial plasmid results in complementary sticky ends that join by base pairing.

Question 20

Perfect conditions for Reproduction

3 marks

Answer 20

Warmth, moisture + O2.

Question 21

Advantages of genetically engineered insulin:

5 marks

Answer 21

• Not limited by the slaughter of animals.
• Large quantities can be made quickly.
• No risk of transferring infections.
• More effective at treating diabetes as animal insulin is different to human insulin.
• No ethical issues concerning the use of animals.

Question 22

Why is the Bacterial cell is placed in a fermenter during the production of insulin?

(1 mark)

Answer 22

To allow reproduction under perfect conditions.