Introduction 2 Flashcards
1
Q
What are the two types of selective breeding?
A
- Inbreeding: Breeding with very close relatives.
- Crossbreeding: Breeding between two unrelated individuals.
2
Q
What are the advantages of genetic engineering over classical breeding?
A
- Takes less time
- Gene of interest can be obtained from totally unrelated species.
- Predictable and specific
- Useful for obvious traits
3
Q
What was the first GE plant?
A
Tobacco
4
Q
Give some examples of GE agricultural products and their advantages.
A
- GE papaya: Resistance to papaya ringspot virus.
- Bt corn: Pest resistance
- RoundUp Ready Soybeans: herbicide resistance.
5
Q
What are some useful traits that GE introduces into crops?
A
- Insect resistance
- Virus resistance
- Herbicide resistance
- Delayed fruit ripening
- Enhanced nutritional properties.
6
Q
What is molecular farming?
A
Molecular farming is the use of genetically engineered plants or animals to produce valuable compounds.
7
Q
What are edible vaccines?
A
Edible vaccines are plant materials that would confer immunity against diseases when ingested.
8
Q
What are the controversies of GM crops?
A
- Insect resistant crops: May cause resistant pest, Bt pollen may spread to other plants and cause pest resistance, Bt crops may affect non-target organisms.
- Disease Resistance: Evolution of new virus
- Weedicide tolerant plants: Possibility of developing SuperWeeds - weedicide resistant weeds.
