Genetic Modification

Question 1

What is fermentation

Answer 1

Processes carries out by microorganisms

Question 2

What are industrial fermenters

Answer 2

Large tanks that enable the environmental conditions such as temperature oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations PH and nutrient supply go be carefully controlled so microorganisms will yield their product most effiecentky

Question 3

Why has a fermenter got a cooling jacket and cold water outlet and inlet

Answer 3

Fermentation produces heat this prevents the content from over heating to keep optimum temperature for enzyme reactions and growth

Question 4

Why has a fermenter got stirring paddles

Answer 4

Mix the contents so microorganisms are suspended in the liquid and are more exposed to nutrients also keeps even temperature throughout the vessel

Question 5

Why must fermenters be made of non corrosive materials

Answer 5

Many microorganisms produce acidic waste

Question 6

Why is there an air filter

Answer 6

Air filtered to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms which would multiply and compete and reduce yield ,ferenneter also sterilised - aseptic precautions

Question 7

What is inside the fermenter

Answer 7

The starter culture and nutrient broth ( glucose amino acids , nitrates , vitamins , lipids )

Question 8

How is the microorganism extracted from fermenter

Answer 8

Broth is filtered and desired product is extracted

Question 9

What is recombinant DNA

Answer 9

When DNA is taken from one species and inserted into another

Question 10

Transgenic organism

Answer 10

Organism with the recombinant DNA, new gene from a different species

Question 11

What does the transgenic organism have

Answer 11

Added capability , can manufacture the protein the new Gene codes for

Question 12

What are plasmids

Answer 12

Small circular pieces of DNA in bacteria that bacteria naturally swap

Question 13

What are restriction enzymes

Answer 13

Enzymes that cut DNA molecules at specific points , uses to cut if specific genes from a molecule of DNA. Straight cut restriction enzymes produce blunt ends , others make a staggered cut leaving fragments of DNA with overalapping ends with complementary bases , sticky ends that can be more easily joined by ligase ene unes

Question 14

What are DNA ligases

Answer 14

Enzymes that join cut ends of DNA molecules

Question 15

How does the restriction enzyme work

Answer 15

Recognises a certain base sequence in the DNA strand and when it encounters that base sequence it will fit the DNA molecule .

Question 16

What are vectors

Answer 16

Means of transferring a gene, e.g the plasmid , gene is inserted into the plasmid and then the plasmid is transferred into a bacterium .

Question 17

Process of gm

Answer 17

Plasmid isolated from bacterium , opened with the restriction enzyme . Gene cut from Donor DNA using the same restriction enzyme . Plasmids and isolated gene mixed up with DNA ligase to create recombinant plasmids . Bacteria are incubated with recombinant plasmids , some will take take up plasmids and then have the gene from donor cell

Question 18

What is bacteriophage

Answer 18

Vector used to introduce foreign DNA into bacterial cells .virus attacks bacterium by attaching to cell wall of bacterium and injecting its DNA into the bacterial cell . DNA is incorporated into DNA of host cell and causes the production of many virus particles foreign gene inserted into virus DNA it will be inserted into bacteria DNA

Question 19

How are plant cells genetically modified

Answer 19

Gene gun for cereals

Agribacterium inserts plasmids into plant cells

Question 20

Plant resistance to herbicide

Answer 20

GM has allowed farmers to spray hetbjicjdes to have maximum effect on weeds without harming the pants. Anti freeze genes from artic fish are in plans to make them frost resistant

Question 21

Golden rice

Answer 21

More vitamin a in rice from the genes of carrots

Question 22

GM crops have

Answer 22

Incresided resistance to pests and pathogens
Increased heat and drought tolerance
Incaresed salt tolerance
Better balance of protein carbs etc (more nutritious )