Genetic Engineering/ Cloning

Question 1

What do vectors do?

Answer 1

Insert DNA into other organisms

Question 2

How do vectors work?

Answer 2

1) The DNA you want to insert is cut out with a restriction enzyme. The vector DNA s then cut open using the same restriction enzyme
2) The vector DNA and the DNA you’re inserting are mixed together with ligase enzymes
3) The ligases join the two pieces of DNA together to produce recombinant DNA
4) The recombinant DNA is inserted into other cells
5) These cells can now use the gene you inserted to make the protein you want
6) Bacteria that contains the gene for human insulin are transgenic

Question 3

What do genetically modified plants do?

Answer 3

Improve food production

Question 4

What are restriction enzymes?

Answer 4

Enzymes that recognise specific sequences of DNA and cut the DNA at these points

Question 5

What are ligase enzymes?

Answer 5

Enzymes that are used to join to pieces of DNA together

Question 6

What are recombinant DNA?

Answer 6

Two different bits of DNA stuck together

Question 7

What is micropropagation for and how does it work?

Answer 7

Cloning plants
1) A plant with desirable characteristics is selected to be cloned. Small pieces are taken from the tips of the stems and the side shoots of this plant
2) The explants are sterilised to kill any microorganisms
3) The explants are then grown in vitro - they’re placed in a petri dish containing a nutrient medium. The medium has all the nutrients the explants need to grow also has with growth hormones.
4) Cells in the explants divide and grow into a small plant. If large quantities of plants are required, further explants can be taken from these small plants, and so on until enough small plants are produced
5) The small plants are taken out of the medium, planted in soil and put into glasshouses