Genetically Modified Organisms Flashcards
what are the two catagories of modified organisms?
-modified microorganisms and modified organisms
what is the main type of bacteria used in GEMs?
-E.coli
what does GEM stand for?
-genetically engineered microorganisms
what is the main product that has been the most useful that has been developed by these microorganisms? who is this used by?
-insulin
-people who have diabetes
what had been used previously to make insulin for diabetic and what was the disadvantages of this?
-it was extracted by the dead bodies of animals e.g. pigs
-it was time consuming and ineffective
-the non human insulin was slightly different to pure insulin so it caused allergic reactions
what are 5 other examples of products that were produced from GEMs other than insulin?
-human growth hormone
-enzymes
-adhesives
-lung surfactant protein
-interferon
how are GEMs being used in relation to cancer cells and why? 4 ways
-target cancer cells
-prevent healthy cells from being harmed
-encourage a stronger immune response
-they can also stop infected cells replicating
what way are GEMs used to treat bacterial infections?
-support antibiotic action by disrupting the defensive strategies in antibiotic resistant bacteria
what does the term transgenic mean?
-used to describe an organism that has had its DNA deliberately changed
how can plants have their DNA become transgenic? what type of stage is the donor DNA given to the plant at?
-the soil bacteria causes the growth of galls on the plant
-the bacteria DNA enters the plant
-causing rapid cell growth
-plant is then genetically engineered
-galls removed and replaced with donor DNA
-donor DNA given to growing tissues, meaning as plant grows the DNA is spread and once the plant is mature all the cells will contain the recombinant DNA
what is another method that can cause plants to become transgenic? is this more or less reliable than using the soil bacteria method?
-using gene guns
-coating microscopic pellets with donor DNA
-fired into host cell using compressed air
-less reliable but it can be used in species that are resistant to infection by bacteria
what are the 5 benefits of having genetically modified crops?
-herbicide resistance- allows effective applications without having to avoid accidentally spraying the crop
-pesticide properties- causes less loss to pests, saves cost and less pollution
-disease resistance
-greater ecological range
-nutritional enhancement
what are 5 ethical issues/ potential risks of GM crops?
-not natural- don’t contain their natural DNA
-superweeds-genes from plant can be passed to other species (cross-pollination), these weeds then can become resistant to herbicides causing them to spread
-GM crops greater ecological range than natural- may outcompete natural plants
-insects become resistant- same as the weeds
-can cause allergies
what are the 4 methods that animals can become transgenic, have the donor DNA/ gene inserted, and how?
-liposomes which encapsulate the donor DNA, allows it to cross the lipid bilayer
-electroporation- disrupting the cells membrane, more permeable, DNA enters
-viruses
-fertilised eggs- insert DNA so all cells will contain the recombinant DNA
