Genetic Revolution

Question 1

What is a transgenic organism?

Answer 1

An organism which has received genes from another species.

Question 2

What organelle is used in genetic engineering?

Answer 2

Plasmids from bacteria.

Question 3

What are the steps of genetic engineering?

Answer 3

1. Plasmid removed from the bacterium.
2. Restriction enzyme is used to cut a piece of the plasmid - with sticky ends.
3. The same restriction enzyme is then used to cut desired gene from an organism - with stick ends.
4. The desired gene is then inserted into the plasmid using ligase to join to the sticky ends.
5. Plasmid is inserted back into the bacterium to multiply.

Question 4

What is recombinant DNA?

Answer 4

Has a combined DNA from two different sources.

Question 5

How do we multiply the bacterium with the GM plasmid?

Answer 5

Put it into a sterilised fermenter.

Question 6

Advantages of GM crops?

Answer 6

1. More precise method than selective breeding
2. Higher crop yield / better food quality
3. Less pesticide/herbicide used so less pollution
4. Disease resistant / pest resistant / herbicide resistant

Question 7

Disadvantages of GM crops?

Answer 7

1. Not accepted by public
2. Long term affects unknown
3. May affect food chains or environment
4. Reduces variation

Question 8

Ways of cloning plants?

Answer 8

1. Cuttings
2. Graftings
3. Micro propagation

Question 9

What are the steps of micro propagation?

Answer 9

1. Tips of the stems and side shoot are remove - these are explants
2. Explants trimmed and sterilised.
3. Explants placed in agar medium with nutrients to stimulate growth.
4. More explants taken from new shoots.
5. Explants with shoots transferred to medium with root growth hormones.
6. When they have roots they are transferred to a glasshouse.

Question 10

Advantages of micro propagation?

Answer 10

• Large numbers of genetically identical plant produced quickly.
• Plants can be grown any time of the year.

Question 11

Steps of cloning mammals? (Example: Dolly the sheep)

Answer 11

1. Egg taken from a donor sheep and removed its nucleus producing an enucleated cell.
2. Body cell taken from genetic mother.
3. Electricity is used to fuse the two cells together.
4. Fused cell placed into the uterus of a foster mother.