L20 - applications of genetics

Question 1

define biotechnology

Answer 1

use of living organisms to create systems/processes with useful applications

Question 2

define genetic engineering

Answer 2

altering organisms genome (GMO)

transgenic organisms

Question 3

define gene therapy

Answer 3

treating genetic disease by providing normal copy of gene

Question 4

describe process of producing insulin in bacteria

Answer 4

1. plasmid containing insulin A subunit and plasmid containing insulin B subunit transformed into different E.coli
2. Bgal/insulinA and Bgal/insulinB will accumulate and can be excreted and purified
3. treatment with cyanogen bromide to cleave from Bgal
4. mix A+B which will form S bridges

Question 5

how is insulin production stimulated in the plasmid?

Answer 5

its integrated into lac operon (lacZ)

Question 6

how is Bgal/insulinA or Bgal/insulinB separated?

Answer 6

treatment with cyanogen bromide

Question 7

how can plants be genetically engineered?

Answer 7

• selective breeding (bigger, more fruit etc)
• GM crops (herbicide resistant, pesticide resistant)
• nutrient enhancement

Question 8

how does herbicide work?

Answer 8

-herbicide used is glyphosate and it inhibits EPSP synthase in chloroplast (needed for AA synthesis)

Question 9

how can we make plants herbicide resistant

Answer 9

have plants make increased EPSP synthase, so herbicide glyphosate cant inhibit it all

Question 10

describe process of making crops herbicide resistant

Answer 10

1. insert promoter of EPSP synthase into plasmid
2. insert plasmid into R radiobacter
3. infect plant cell with R radiobacter bacteria which will transfer plasmid into plant chrom
4. select for these new glyphosate resistant cells

Question 11

example of a natural insecticide

Answer 11

cry toxin from bacteria when ingested by insect makes holes in gut

Question 12

give an example of nutritional enhancement in crops

Answer 12

vitamin A deficiency in many regions of Asia and Africa

-provide B carotene (Vit A precursor) in rice (golden rice 2)

Question 13

explain process of creating Vit A rice

Answer 13

1. B carotene precursor (GGPP) added to rice, but 4 enzymes needed to metabolise it also needed and so are added into seeds
2. CTR1 bacterial enzyme used in place of last 3
3. phytoene synthase used to replace first enzyme

Question 14

what enzymes have to be added to Vit A rice

Answer 14

CRTI

phytoene synthase

Question 15

issues with GM

Answer 15

1. safety + perceived safety
2. gene flow (between wild type and resistant)
3. pest resistance
4. reducing biodiversity

Question 16

what is SCID

Answer 16

severe combined immunodeficiency

no immune system