GM modification Flashcards
What is the first step in selective breeding?
Select the plants or animals with desired characteristics beneficial to humans
Desired characteristics may include disease resistance, higher yield, and improved appearance or taste.
What is the process of selective breeding?
Breed selected plants or animals together, choose offspring with desired characteristics, and repeat over generations
Unlike natural selection, selected characteristics may not enhance survival chances.
What desired characteristics may be sought after in plants or animals?
- Disease resistance
- Higher crop/meat/milk yield
- Appearance/taste
- Resistance to certain conditions
What are problems with selective breeding?
- Inbreeding leading to reduced gene pool
- Lack of variety causing harmful genetic defects
- Vulnerability to diseases
- Ethical concerns
How do restriction enzymes function in genetic modification?
They cut out a gene from DNA, creating sticky ends for insertion into plasmids
Sticky ends are short sections of DNA with unpaired bases.
What is the role of ligase in genetic modification?
Ligase joins the gene from the original organism to the sticky ends in the plasmid
This creates a recombinant plasmid, which contains genes from two or more organisms.
What is a recombinant plasmid?
A plasmid that contains genes from two or more organisms
It is used to insert new genes into bacterial or yeast cells.
How do vectors work in genetic engineering?
Vectors like plasmids and viruses are used to insert recombinant genes into cells
Plasmids are used for bacteria and yeast, while viruses can target human cells.
How can insulin be produced by genetically modified bacteria?
The human insulin gene is added to a plasmid and inserted into bacterial cells, which multiply and produce insulin
This process occurs in controlled conditions within a fermenter.
What are the advantages of using bacteria for insulin production?
- Same genetic code as humans
- No ethical concerns
- Easy modification of plasmids
How can genetically modified plants improve food production?
By inserting DNA from other organisms to enhance characteristics and improve crop yield and quality
Modifications can include pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, and increased nutrient content.
What are the disadvantages of genetically modified crops?
- Risk of gene transfer to nearby plants
- Reduced biodiversity due to herbicide use
- Ethical and cost concerns
- Potential impact on pollinators like bees
transgenic
transfer of genetic material from one species to a different species
