Genetic Modification Flashcards
What is fermentation
Processes carries out by microorganisms
What are industrial fermenters
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
Why has a fermenter got a cooling jacket and cold water outlet and inlet
Fermentation produces heat this prevents the content from over heating to keep optimum temperature for enzyme reactions and growth
Why has a fermenter got stirring paddles
Mix the contents so microorganisms are suspended in the liquid and are more exposed to nutrients also keeps even temperature throughout the vessel
Why must fermenters be made of non corrosive materials
Many microorganisms produce acidic waste
Why is there an air filter
Air filtered to prevent contamination by unwanted microorganisms which would multiply and compete and reduce yield ,ferenneter also sterilised - aseptic precautions
What is inside the fermenter
The starter culture and nutrient broth ( glucose amino acids , nitrates , vitamins , lipids )
How is the microorganism extracted from fermenter
Broth is filtered and desired product is extracted
What is recombinant DNA
When DNA is taken from one species and inserted into another
Transgenic organism
Organism with the recombinant DNA, new gene from a different species
What does the transgenic organism have
Added capability , can manufacture the protein the new Gene codes for
What are plasmids
Small circular pieces of DNA in bacteria that bacteria naturally swap
What are restriction enzymes
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
What are DNA ligases
Enzymes that join cut ends of DNA molecules
How does the restriction enzyme work
Recognises a certain base sequence in the DNA strand and when it encounters that base sequence it will fit the DNA molecule .
What are vectors
Means of transferring a gene, e.g the plasmid , gene is inserted into the plasmid and then the plasmid is transferred into a bacterium .
Process of gm
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
What is bacteriophage
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
How are plant cells genetically modified
Gene gun for cereals
Agribacterium inserts plasmids into plant cells
Plant resistance to herbicide
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
Golden rice
More vitamin a in rice from the genes of carrots
GM crops have
Incresided resistance to pests and pathogens
Increased heat and drought tolerance
Incaresed salt tolerance
Better balance of protein carbs etc (more nutritious )
